Monday, January 14, 2013

If We Are The Body of Christ

Who would you be willing...or better yet 'glad to'...have a cup of coffee with?

 

         1 Corinthians 12:20-27

 

 20"So there are many parts but one body. 21An eye can't say to a hand, "I don't need you!" Or again, the head can't say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22The opposite is true. The parts of the body that we think are weaker are the ones we really need. 23The parts of the body that we think are less honorable are the ones we give special honor. So our unpresentable parts are made more presentable. 24However, our presentable parts don't need this kind of treatment. God has put the body together and given special honor to the part that doesn't have it. 25God's purpose was that the body should not be divided but rather that all of its parts should feel the same concern for each other. 26If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts share its suffering. If one part is praised, all the others share in its happiness. 27You are Christ's body and each of you is an individual part of it."

 

 

 

What are the parts of our body that need more care, but many times don't receive it? Well...then what are the parts that we give lots of care to? I am thinking they are the parts that the world sees, so we primp and keep them in good shape...yet these are the parts that don't need as much care...as compared to the parts that do need the extra attention. Yet many times these parts that need more attention don't get it, because the body normally keeps them hidden.

 
 

 

Our hearts need a lot more care than our fingernails....but it is our fingernails that usually get the most care. I suspect it is because they are what people see. They are what gives us a reputation. They are what adds to our appearance.

 
 

 

Our bladder is something we only think about at certain times...and our stomach as well, yet it needs lots of care, as it is what holds our body fuel -- our food, yet most of us ignore it's real needs so it works properly. Then the intestines....which are also needed to provide our body with the fuel it needs. But do these parts get as much attention as our eye lashes, or toe nails...or our hair? I don't think so...well, I'm convicted anyway!

 

 

The lungs, intestines, stomach, and bladder are not pretty, but they are a part of the body, and considered vital parts of the body...so, in light of what God wants to teach us, do we treat those at church who are not very pretty as important as the attendees that are?  The ones who come in with body odor and not dressed very nicely, do we snub them 'just a bit'? Or how about the believers that are still struggling with various sins in their lives? Do the thoughts in our mind immediately begin evaluating them....comparing them to ourselves and having the attitude that some how we are above ever being that vulnerable to this fallen world, so we think, "I don't know how they could let things get this bad! I would never let that happen!"

 
 

*When people think this way, then I wonder sometimes if this stems from a mindset that they are somehow above the human condition...and maybe even think that they could never do what Adam and Eve did to cause the fall!

 

Jesus tells us here the reason why the less desired among us are the ones that deserve the most esteem. The ones who have struggled the most are normally the ones who become the most productive, as they love and show mercy towards others much more. They have experienced and therefore understand what it feels like to be so miserable, and then what it truly feels like to be forgiven! It is likened to a person who has been in utter darkness for many years and then is given the chance to be out in the light vs a person who has never experienced total darkness and so when given the chance to be in the light does not appreciate it as much.

 


Luke 7:47 Jesus said, "I tell you, her sins--and they are many--have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love."

 

 

As the body of Christ...where Christ is our Head, we as Christians have to begin listening better and learning from the Head...and cultivating the mind of Christ that is already in us. The humble attitude that Christ had...as He humbled Himself and became a man, and died a horrible and humiliating death on the cross for us. Therefore we, out of deep love and reverence can do no less, but carry with us a humble attitude in how we see ~ and serve those around us...as our reasonable service

 

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Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

 

 

We must begin realizing and never forgetting our own vulnerability and humanity in order to be the kind of people that produce the fruit that is pleasing to God.

 


James 4:6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

 

 

1 comment:

  1. I have been evaluated in the past by other middle class Christians as not being well educated enough to be fully accepted into their group. No joke!
    An excellent post and a moving video.
    God bless,
    Frank.

    ReplyDelete

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