Unity in the Body

Unity in the Body
Romans 12: 5, 10, "so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another...giving preference to one another."
Giving preference to one another is vital to unity in the body. When you really think about it, what is the opposite of giving preference to others? Giving preference to ourselves otherwise known as selfishness or pride. "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." Philippians 2:3.
Giving preference to one another is going to require that we deny self - "Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me." Matthew 16:24. It will also require humility - "Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'"1 Peter 5:5.
We need to be more passionate about God's agenda than our own. Are you willing to put off self preference and put on giving preference to one another so that God's name will be glorified in the unity of the body?
From the pastor/elder/deacon to the person that sits in the last pew, body life is not about us, it is about Jesus Christ the Head of the church.

Diane