Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four is a movie about superheroes. At the beginning of the film these characters had limited skills, but when they were accidentally exposed to a ‘cosmic radiation storm’ each one was transformed, acquiring special skills. Another character was also transformed, but unlike the first four he decided to use his powers to advance his personal agenda, becoming the villain of the movie.
The beginning of the process was not easy, because despite their powers they had not yet fully understand the importance of having them. Their reactions were varied. The leader was working hard trying to reverse the changes. One of them was dissatisfied with the effects that the changes had had on him and longed to return back to normal. Even one of them saw the changes as an opportunity to become famous. The adaptation as a team was not easy because each one had different objectives. It was not until they had the need to face a common enemy that they were able to understand the importance of working together to achieve a common goal for the good of not only themselves but also the rest of society.
The church of Jesus Christ is also called to fight a common enemy. Each one of us, as a member of God’s team, has been empowered with special skills.
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. – Romans 12:6-8
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers – Ephesians 4:11
Unlike the Fantastic Four, our skills were not obtained by accident, but each was assigned by God as an important part of His plan.
All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. – 1 Corinthians 12:11
We have different gifts, but each one of them is important in the function that it exercises. Someone might be unsatisfied with his or her function, but neglecting it could cause an imbalance and affect the performance of the body as a whole. We must also beware of falling into the error of thinking that the abilities God has given us can be used to acquire fame or advance personal agendas. We have been empowered with a purpose much greater than ourselves.
for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ – Ephesians 4:12
We don’t need to be superheroes to become part of God’s team. Jesus, our fantastic leader, only needs sidekicks to help him fulfill His plan. We just have to make sure to perform the function that we were assigned according to our skills.
till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ – Ephesians 4:13
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