Counterpoint

2

Now to each one a manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7).

We’re exploring what it means to be counter-cultural – but to be counter-cultural in ways that serve the common good of both our church community and the world around us.

Being counter-cultural doesn’t mean that, whatever our culture does, we do the opposite.  Rather, we must learn to counter the social and spiritual pressures that seek to form us according to the world’s molds and norms. We have to discern where these pressure points are and allow the Spirit to shape us in ways that will run counter to prevailing cultural expectations and currents.

Paul begins with the radical idea that every Christian is gifted by the Holy Spirit.  As far as the culture of the time may have been concerned, you had your assigned social slot, and almost everyone’s slot was down at the bottom.  However, as far as God was and is concerned, you are Spirit-gifted to serve as a man or woman of wisdom, discernment, knowledge, the working of miracles, or any of the other Spirit-gifts (verses 7-11), regardless of where society ranked you.

In the midst of this radical, turning-the-world-upside-down equality, Paul introduces two very counter-cultural ideas, ideas that were counter-cultural then and now: mutual submission and interdependence.  

Submission is hardly a popular term in our world.  And “Submit!” can and often has been used to dominate, manipulate and control people.  But the Spirit-empowered and Spirit-gifted community lives differently, counter-culturally.  We are submitted to Jesus as Lord, that is the very first ministry of the Spirit (see verse 3).  And, within that submission, we submit to one another.  Not just to recognized offices or authorities, but to each other.  To submit means to freely offer the best that I am for the highest good of another.  Just like the parts of our bodies submit to one another for the good of the whole body.

My eyes work hard every day to help my whole body see where it’s going, avoid obstacles, appreciate beauty, discern danger.  My ears totally give themselves to helping my whole body hear: warnings, the voices of friends, family and neighbors, the beauties of birdsong and music.

Within this mutual submission, each part freely giving itself to serve and strengthen the whole body, there is interdependence.  My eye sees well, but walks poorly.  My ears are great at hearing, lousy at picking up or pointing.  Don’t ask the nose to pull the bread out of the oven, and don’t ask the foot to tell if it’s fully baked!

Mutual submission: we offer to Jesus and then to his body the best that we are and have, for the good of all.

Interdependence: everybody needs everybody.  Each one matters, each one offers needed gifts.  These gifts need to be both offered, and recognized and received.

Where/when/how is mutual submission hard for you?  Where/when/how do you default to independence over interdependence?  How is God inviting you to pray … and to change?

2 Comments

Thanks, June!
Brian and Kathy, thank you for today's devotional. The definition of submit really struck me. To freely offer the best that I am for the highest good of another, of course I want to do that! Submission becomes a joy filled action opposed to a duty to perform. May I remember that as I submit to Jesus and others today. June

Leave a Comment

Comments for this post have been disabled.