Romans 12:4

Romans 12:4 says, For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:  I believe that Paul was continuing with the thought of why we shouldn't think more highly of ourselves than we should. We might tend to think that what we do for God is more important than what others do, but Paul tells us that we don't all serve the same purpose in God's kingdom.  We are all given certain gifts by God, and all are necessary for the advancement of His kingdom.  Verse five adds, So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.  I believe Paul is continuing to tell us why we should humbly accept whatever role God calls us for.  We should never aspire to do what someone else is called to do, and should certainly never be jealous of their calling. Everyone is needed to carry out their calling for God's kingdom to function properly.  Though there are many members of the body of Christ, we are to be one in purpose.  All the members, functioning according to their purpose, makes for the strongest body of Christ.  Verse six continues, Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;  Paul begins to give examples of the calling a person may have.  Paul tells us that we have different gifts, but they are all given to us by God's grace.  He says that if we have the gift of prophecy, the we are to prophesy according to the faith God gives us.  I don't believe that prophecy here means fortelling the future, except to the extent that the gospel tells us of everlasting life, but means proclaiming the gospel and the effect it should have on our lives. There is nothing new to add to the gospel.  Verse seven says, Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;  Paul is still pointing out that we all have a different calling. He is also telling us that is our responsibility to fulfill that calling, so the kingdom of God might grow and our faith might expand. Anytime we are fulfilling God's call for our lives, we are growing in faith.  We need some to minister and some to teach, but not all.  Verse eight adds, Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.  We certainly need people to exhort the word of God, but how often do we think of giving as a calling?  If God's kingdom is to expand, funds are required since God chooses to work through His people.  We are to give, not for show, but with simplicity. We certainly need people today to rule with diligence.  As with giving, ruling should not be self-serving, but for the good of all people, especially the poorest and least powerful.  When we show mercy, it should be with cheerfulness.  Since God has shown mercy on us, we should likewise be cheerful in showing mercy on others, and not do so grudgingly.  Verse nine continues, Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. I believe Paul is telling us that God wants us to share His love with everyone.  We cannot decide that certain people are unworthy of God's love.  We are to hold on to God's will for us, which is the good, and abhor that which is not His will, or the bad.  When we as followers of Christ all function together as one body, we can accomplish so much more than if we try to do things our way.