1 Corinthians 10:1-6 – “For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea, ² and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, ³ and all ate the same spiritual food, ⁴ and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they were all drinking from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. ⁵ But God was not pleased with most of them, for they were cut down in the wilderness. ⁶ These things happened as examples for us, so that we will not crave evil things as they did.”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, the word “Benefit” captured my thoughts.  That word was not found in my reading, but as a result of what I read.

In 1 Corinthians 10:4, we discover that the ‘Rock’ in the wilderness followed Israel, and the identity of that rock.  It was Christ!  Then, we read that the trials and judgments they experienced are recorded as an example for us.  A reminder of the Benefit and Necessity of Obedience!

In 1 Corinthians 10:13, we have the incredible promise (Benefit) that no matter the difficulty, God has inserted an exit door. We do not have to be overcome!

In the Communion ceremony (Lord’s Supper), there are multiple benefits for us to utilize and experience.   It is a visual reminder of the Benefit and Blessing of the Cross.  It provides an opportunity for us to do a self-evaluation or self-examination. It is a call to regard the Body of Christ carefully. The word means, “judging between, recognizing, distinguishing.” When we take Jesus’ teaching on interpersonal relationships and Paul’s revelation about the body, we realize that we open the door to evil when we do not embrace the strength of the unified body!

Isaiah 53 and 1 Peter 2:24 reveal the benefit of Healing in Christ’s suffering. Why not close the door to needless suffering? Becoming the realized body of Christ brings us strength, fellowship, freedom, and the ability to access God’s fullness.

The human body needs all its parts, cells, and nerves to function best. The Body of Christ needs no less. Imagine if the human body works in harmony and provides blessing; how much more the unified Body of Christ exhibits.

Let’s access the benefits of the Body! Shift focus from us to others!