As you look at this chapter, verse 7 starting with BUT should be strange.
We are connected through Christ who is the ultimate, But He gave us grace...? "But"?
The reason is because Paul is pointing out that we have all these things in common, BUT we have some unique differences amongst us. Our differences of gifting and roles in the church all serve a purpose:
4. OUR COMMUNITY _____ OUR ______________.
Paul says that God created us with all these different gifts..
to equip the saints for the work of ministry
until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children
Straight up: we talk too much about a personal walk. Your walk is highly dependent on your church.
It is a personal decision and you personally will receive the reward for it. But Christianity is a group adventure. There is no Christian army of one.