The Apostle Paul painted a picture of Christian community in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6. He wrote about how God made the Church to function like a body comprised of many members, each unique and indispensable. This makes us both different and the same. God intends for us to use our varying spiritual gifts for the same purpose, for the common good.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. (1 Cor. 12:4-6)
What Enables Us to be Both Different and the Same in the Body of Christ
If we break down 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, we find three ways we are both different and the same.
- different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit (1 Cor. 12:4)
The word for gifts is charisma with the root word, charis, meaning grace. We receive our spiritual gifts on the basis of grace (Rom. 12:6) so when we use our gifts, we dispense God’s grace in its various forms (1 Pet. 4:10).
We call them spiritual gifts because the Spirit distributes them as He deems best (1 Cor. 12:11). No one merits the gifts they’ve been given so we have no grounds for comparing or competing with one another.
— Hence, we have different gifts received on the same basis (grace) with the same purpose (to dispense His grace) by the same Spirit.
- different kinds of service, but the same Lord (1 Cor. 12:5)
If we make a list of spiritual gifts identified in the Word, we find at least twenty unique gifts, with the possibility of more. Having different gifts from one another enables us to serve in varying capacities. Even people with the same spiritual gift could find themselves serving in different ways from each other.
Kyrios means master, the one who decides, often used of Jesus (i.e., the Lord Jesus). He is the Head of the church from whom we get our instructions. We’re not the ones to determine how we serve but rather the Lord.
— Hence, we have different ways of serving, all coming under the direction and coordination of the same Lord. We serve the same Master.
- different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work (1 Cor. 12:6)
The Greek word for work, energeo, from which we get the word energy, suggest putting forth power. As we use our different spiritual gifts, serving in different ways, God brings about distinct effects by His power for the common good (1 Cor. 12:7). It’s not our working so we have no basis for one part elevating itself above the other.
The same God, the One True God (theos), works in all of us. He is sovereign and powerful, a creative God who has every right to use vessels for whatever purpose He chooses (Rom. 9:20-21).
— Hence, though we serve in our differing ways using varying gifts, we are all dependent on the same God to bring the growth as we submit to Him (1 Cor. 3:7-9; Eph. 4:16).
Bottom Line: Unity in Diversity
Though different, we serve in accordance with, because of, and by the same Spirit, Lord, and God. The use of these three names could reference the Trinity at work in the Church. If so, it provides a good illustration for us. Though three distinct (different) Beings, they’re One.
In the Body of Christ members have different kinds of gifts to serve in different ways to bring about different effects. We’re united by the same Spirit, Lord, and God working in and through us for the common good. As such, we can be both different and the same in the Body of Christ. When we embrace our differences, we’ll find unity in diversity.