The Doorpost: In the Body of Christ, everyone is needed (1 Corinthians 12)

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many. … The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” … But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.
1 Corinthians 12:13-14,21,24-25

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul is teaching about spiritual gifts, so that is what usually comes to mind when we think of this chapter. But included in this teaching are some important truths that apply to more than just spiritual gifts.

First of all, there is only one Body. Even though there are many differences among the parts of the Body of Christ, we are all members of the same Body.

Second, God did not intend for us all to be the same. He made many different parts.

Third, all the parts of the Body need each other. Every person who is part of the Body of Christ is needed. There isn’t anyone we don’t need. Not one.

Finally, God’s intention for the Body of Christ is that there be no division, but that we have equal concern for each other. We are all different. We are going to have disagreements. But we must not allow this to divide us or cause us to lose our concern for each other. We must never say, by word or action, “I don’t need you!” If we are both part of the Body of Christ, we need each other.