Hello sisters!
Hope each of you are strong in Christ, casting off the flesh, putting on the armour of light, and striving on, fighting this fight of faith. I'm blessed with another day to come back here and share a few things to edify. And the Lord is faithful to bring things to me, from His Word, each day because I couldn't do it without Him or all He has done in my life of course.
I know I've shared on this before how we all are different in the body of Christ and we don't all try to be the same. Yes the same in doctrine and our beliefs because we have the Word and Spirit and we are to be joined in unity in those things and in the same judgments.
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1 Corinthians 1:10
But in the other areas of who we are, what we do, how we do them, as long as nothing is sin, it is a good thing to all be doing our different parts. We have to not compare ourselves to someone who we think might be more 'useful' in God's kingdom or more 'in favour with God' or something like that. If we aren't being faithful in what we have and are being lazy in the body then yes we should feel ashamed and do what we can to overcome that but apart from that the Lord made us who we are and we really should just want to be His humble workers in whatever job we have and do it well! Not to say we can't learn and grow into what we have been given or called to do but we're not to be comparing ourselves one to the other.
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Romans 12:3-5
More about being sober minded about it all there too. We know from Titus 2 and 1 Timothy 2 that we women are told to be sober. So much about that isn't there? It makes me also think of being on guard lest we fall or thinking we are something when we are not. Those would be pride but instead we need to be wise and knowing the truth, striving on lest we fall or believe in vain. Goes along with working out our salvation with fear and trembling because there are so many around who say they've 'got salvation' guaranteed right now and forever...even though they haven't lived to their end yet. That's where we know we have to endure till the end to be saved!
So we know every member of the body has different gifts. But all are to love. Obviously we know love is an action. God sending Christ was an act of love to the world. We are to have great love between the saints. How is that love shown if we just say we love and no fruit or actions follow? It would be a lie. Of course it is a bit different being all scattered and not all gathering in one place in a physical sense but we have other options today to show love...true godly love like 1 Corinthians 13 talks about. The love that isn't self seeking, is not prideful, but looks out for and cares for others.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
That's pretty serious if we don't have love!
What are some ways a woman can serve the body? Obviously, not being in positions of leadership, we have limited roles in it but that doesn't mean there's isn't much to do and we just sit around and be idle, no! Quite the opposite.
We see in love that it's all connected with loving God and keeping His commandments in truth.
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
1 John 5:2-3
So looking at scripture we can see some parts that women have in the body...and what some of them did.
*We see women with Jesus and His disciples feeding and looking after their physical needs with their material possessions. (Luke 8:3)
*We see women suffering persecution and imprisonment for Christ by the hands of Saul. (Acts 8:3)
*We see Dorcas sewing for the poor and being full of good works. (Acts 9)
*We see Lydia showing hospitality to the apostles and disciples (Acts 16)
*We see Priscilla with Aquila, as a couple, mentioned often in being active as workers in the body.
*We see Paul commending the hard work of sisters labouring among the saints. (Romans 16)
*We see women laboring with Paul in the gospel. (Philippians 4)
*We see that a woman (widow) was commended for washing the saint's feet, and being diligent in every good work. (1 Timothy 5:10)
*We see the older women are to be teaching the younger women. (Titus 2)
*We see there are women who are the faithful wives of the elders/leaders. No doubt they had a good part in being responsible for the leading men having well behaved houses in looking after and guiding the children. (1 Timothy 3)
*We see women potentially winning unbelieving/disobedient husbands without a word. (1 Peter 3)
*We see women are to be respectfully silent when the body is gathered and men are teaching and sharing in spiritual matters. (1 Corinthians 14, 1 Timothy 2)
*We see women are to respect their husbands and ask them questions. (1 Corinthians 14)
*We see a woman is to have a meek and quiet spirit which is true adornment of the heart and not have external adornment on her clothing or by wearing jewelry or makeup. (1 Peter 3, 1 Timothy 2)
*We see a woman is to cover her head and hair (her glory), being under authority of the men, and because of the angels. (1 Corinthians 11)
So that's some of the ones that came to mind though of course there are many more. I just started writing on this this morning so I don't necessarily work over it all thoroughly but it's just to encourage us sisters as to our roles in the body and you can think of other things too. Being scattered shining all over the world means we may be connected via technology but we can all do the best we can to show true love in actions through that. And we can pray one for another, help bear burdens across the miles, share scriptures and encouraging words, be aware for those who might be struggling, and such like.
We know the two greatest commands are to love God and others so all we do should come from that and our motives pure.
So I think I will leave it there sisters! It would be interesting to see if all of us sisters were given a title to write some encouragement on or a women's teaching subject, all the different words and things we would share! We are all different but are to be united in His body and functioning as one in love and care for one another.
Lord willing I shall be back tomorrow! Hold fast to the truth sisters!
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Ephesians 5:20-21
Love in Christ,
Sister Michaela
You can find the gospel explained here.