Parts
Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31.
A while back, I developed a case of what is called "trigger finger." Honestly, I thought the doctor was joking when he told me that name, but basically it has something to do with the tendon and the muscle and...well, the finger (thumb in my case) locks into position. It's uncomfortable to painful to get it to move again. But, honestly, the treatment (a cortisone shot in the thumb) was even worse. So now, when it flares up from time to time, I just deal with it. I've learned to exercise my hands often to try to make sure the trigger finger flares up as little as possible, because it's more than inconvenient when all the body parts don't work together the way they're supposed to.
Paul says that's the way it is in the Church, too—or, as he calls it, the Body of Christ. A body is a good representation of the Church, since we are the visible representation of Jesus on earth. And the body (the church) only truly functions when all of its parts (members) are getting along and working together and doing what each is gifted to do. When one part complains about another part, or gossips and tries to tear down another part (an activity we often find in the form of overly-detailed "prayer requests"), or insists that one role is more important than another, the body doesn't function well. Things break down. Pain results. Brokenness happens.
And when that takes place, the witness of the church is damaged, sometimes broken beyond repair. When we let our preferences and our disagreements outshine our commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ, the world can't help but notice. "Look at them," they will say. "Even they can't get along, and they claim to follow Jesus. I told you there wasn't anything in this Jesus stuff."
We're not just talking about the local church. The church that you attend or belong to is only one expression of the Body of Christ. It is not the whole. The Church together, in all its varied expressions, is the Body, called to work and serve together in faithfulness. We may have preferences, choices, even doctrines that are important to us, but those things must not override the basic unity of the Body of Christ. Many parts, all doing unique and different things, contributing to the one body.
As I write this blog, my fingers are typing, my eyes are following along, my brain is processing the words that appear and thinking ahead to the next thing that will be written. My mouth is taking in the delicious sips of chai tea latte from the cup that my hand picks up and my taste buds...well, they just basically rejoice. All parts of the one body that is Dennis, working together to accomplish something good (or at least I hope it ends up good). This is Paul's picture of the Church: every part, doing its part, accomplishing something greater than the whole. Put aside your differences, Paul says. There's a time to discuss those, but the differences are not what is important. What is vital is that the body works together in unity, even in the midst of beautiful diversity.
A while back, I developed a case of what is called "trigger finger." Honestly, I thought the doctor was joking when he told me that name, but basically it has something to do with the tendon and the muscle and...well, the finger (thumb in my case) locks into position. It's uncomfortable to painful to get it to move again. But, honestly, the treatment (a cortisone shot in the thumb) was even worse. So now, when it flares up from time to time, I just deal with it. I've learned to exercise my hands often to try to make sure the trigger finger flares up as little as possible, because it's more than inconvenient when all the body parts don't work together the way they're supposed to.
Paul says that's the way it is in the Church, too—or, as he calls it, the Body of Christ. A body is a good representation of the Church, since we are the visible representation of Jesus on earth. And the body (the church) only truly functions when all of its parts (members) are getting along and working together and doing what each is gifted to do. When one part complains about another part, or gossips and tries to tear down another part (an activity we often find in the form of overly-detailed "prayer requests"), or insists that one role is more important than another, the body doesn't function well. Things break down. Pain results. Brokenness happens.
And when that takes place, the witness of the church is damaged, sometimes broken beyond repair. When we let our preferences and our disagreements outshine our commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ, the world can't help but notice. "Look at them," they will say. "Even they can't get along, and they claim to follow Jesus. I told you there wasn't anything in this Jesus stuff."
We're not just talking about the local church. The church that you attend or belong to is only one expression of the Body of Christ. It is not the whole. The Church together, in all its varied expressions, is the Body, called to work and serve together in faithfulness. We may have preferences, choices, even doctrines that are important to us, but those things must not override the basic unity of the Body of Christ. Many parts, all doing unique and different things, contributing to the one body.
As I write this blog, my fingers are typing, my eyes are following along, my brain is processing the words that appear and thinking ahead to the next thing that will be written. My mouth is taking in the delicious sips of chai tea latte from the cup that my hand picks up and my taste buds...well, they just basically rejoice. All parts of the one body that is Dennis, working together to accomplish something good (or at least I hope it ends up good). This is Paul's picture of the Church: every part, doing its part, accomplishing something greater than the whole. Put aside your differences, Paul says. There's a time to discuss those, but the differences are not what is important. What is vital is that the body works together in unity, even in the midst of beautiful diversity.
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