ASK NOT

I grew up in a two-story house in the East Linden area of Columbus, Ohio.  For years my parents had a portrait of President John F. Kennedy on the wall at the top of the steps.  Near the bottom of the photo were the following words from his inaugural address: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”  I did not hear the President deliver his address that day, but I was able to see and read those words several times a day.  I cannot say with absolute certainty what he meant, but I believe he was saying everyone needs to look at how he of she can contribute to the greatness of our country.

His words have an application to the Christian and the church.  Every member of the Lord’s body has a role to play, a position of service within the body.  Paul argued this principle in I Corinthians 12.  Paul wrote: “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (I Corinthians 12:12.13).

Paul was writing to explain the different spiritual gifts which existed within the Corinthian church.  The application is that today everyone possesses differing talents which contribute to the church’s mission.  Paul wrote, “Now there are diversity of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are diversities of administration, but the same Spirit.  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which works all in all.  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal” (I Corinthians 12:4-7). This is where the words of President Kennedy are applicable to the church.  Every Christian must ask the question, “What can I do for the church?”  The question is a good one.  Every member has something to contribute to the success of the church in fulfilling her God ordained role.

What can you do for the church?  What have you already done for the church? You have a place in the body, an important place.  Are you taking your place? Someone observed that in the work of our Lord today He “has no hands but our hands, no feet but our feet.”  That is your hands and your feet if you are a member of the Lord’s body.

--Denny