The first part of this passage named the things all Christians hold in common. These are the foundation for God’s new community—a community united, despite its members’ many differences, by their loyalty to the same God. The second part of the passage showed how
those differences become a source of strength to the community when we place them under Christ’s lordship, and use them in accordance with his creative purposes.
• Scholar N. T. Wright said of the last part of today’s reading, “The point of some people having special roles is so that every single Christian, and the church as a whole, may be equipped for their work of service.” In what ways are you using your gifts and talents to fully live into all that you can be in Christ, and advance Christ’s work of service in the world?