I take a great deal of inspiration from this scripture. Thank you, Paul. Thank You, Jesus. But this teaching extends beyond those who serve the church and knowingly take on that responsibility for in reality, we are ALL the church and we ALL have taken on the responsibility of sharing the Word and living the life of a follower of Christ. We all, “participate in the sufferings of Christ that continue for this body, the church” – whether we like it, or not – whether we want to, or not. What do I take away from this? I take away a caution from Holy Spirit to NOT live “double lives;” that is, do not proclaim your salvation in the name of The Christ and then go into the world and live like the serpent. Simple, yes – easy, of course not. We are challenged every day, beset on all sides with the pitfalls and lies set before us by the god of this world; yet we are made Holy by the blood of the Host High God and Holy Spirit within us, if we allow Him, will grow us into the people that we are meant to be and in so doing, as I always say, make the world a better place – one decision, one action, one person at a time. Will YOU allow this to happen to you? I pray that you will.