Covet the best gifts
1 Corinthians 12:19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
What is the scariest animal to run into in the woods? A poisonous snake? A crocodile? Grizzly bear? No, the scariest animal is a pack of wolves. We are made a little lower than the angels, so how can we be a conquering army that is fighting against the prince of darkness? It is because of the Lord and the Holy Spirit taking a multitude of us and building us into a single body. Individually Satan is not scared of us, but collectively, with Jesus as the Head and the Holy Spirit as the life, he is terrified.
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
This is awesome when you see Christians with completely different backgrounds, upbringings, and histories all one in the Lord.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
This is what makes us one, that we all have need of each other. When a brother or sister does something that you thought you had no need of but then realize that just saved you, that is why we are all one.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
Nothing strengthens me more and convicts me more than when I see a brother or sister that seemed to be feeble stand strong for the Lord.
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
There is a movie about this guy in World War 2 who refused to carry a gun. He seemed to be the least honorable guy in the army, he was the most despised in training camp. But when the battle was the fiercest he was the most courageous and they bestowed the highest honor on him. The lion of the tribe of Judah is within us, we may appear feeble and even the least honorable. But we have the name above every name living within us. Let Him be manifested.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
Sometimes there is a need for the Lord to bestow abundant honor on a member in order to temper the body together. Do not be jealous or envious. Instead, if you are a member of the body, a member of the team, a member of the Lord's army understand that this is so we can defeat the enemy. If the Lord is speaking through a brother or sister He may lift them up just so we know who to listen to for a particular word.
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
Think about that, one person needs to be honored and another needs to suffer. Why? Suffering allows us to have empathy for others and not be so self righteous. Being honored lets everyone take notice so that the Lord can share a word or a message to the whole body.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
Pray for this revelation. My foot is not jealous of my hand. My eyes are not jealous of my ears. Pray for a revelation that you are member, in particular, of the Body of Christ.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1 Corinthians 11&version=KJV
On the one hand we should not be jealous of brothers and sisters but on the other we should covet the best gifts. Have you ever thought about what the best gift is? I remember once going over each and every gift and thinking, nah, it just didn't do it for me. But then I read James 5 and it was like "That's it, that is the best gift! That is what I covet". In James 5 he talks about how the prayers of a righteous man availeth much. I thought, I want to be someone who when they pray God answers. Can you imagine how wonderful that would be? And according to the word of God it is God's will. Jesus told us to ask, Jesus said it glorifies the Father when our prayers are answered.