“1 Corinthians 12:14-26”

Saturday, April 21, 2018

“For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, ‘Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,’ it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, ‘Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,’ it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’; or again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”

---End of Scripture verses---

One of the worst things that Christians can do is play “the comparison game” with one another. Some people will look at a very charismatic or talented brother in Christ and feel like he has nothing to offer the congregation in comparison to what his brother brings to the table. That is kind of like a foot saying, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body” (verse 15). Every member in a local church is useful and important to the proper and healthful functioning of the whole body. Gifts and talents may come in different shapes and sizes, but all are useful and necessary.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are a few brethren who actually feel so superior in importance that they see little or no use for some members in a local congregation. That is kind of like an eye saying to a hand, “I have no need of you” (verse 20). There is no place for pride and arrogance in the kingdom of God. Much of what Paul wrote was, “so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other. For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” (1 Corinthians 4:6-7)

Every gift or talent that any of us has is a gift that we have “received” from God. It is foolish sinfulness to boast about blessings and talents and resources that have been given to us by God’s grace. We should use God’s gifts with the heart of a servant and not the arrogance of a superstar. We are all together in the same ship that is sailing toward the same ultimate destination. Let’s focus on loving and helping and serving one another during our voyage together.

“God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to the member which lacked” (verse 24). Think about your body for a moment. What parts do we give the “more abundant honor to”? Our face? Our teeth? Our hair? The more visible and conspicuous parts? We get so hung up about appearances in our society that we often pay little or no attention to the parts that we can’t see. I know it may be hard to imagine, but we can actually live without hair or teeth or a pretty face! But we’re not going to last very long without our heart, our liver, our lungs, our kidneys. Even our pinky toes serve a vital role in the overall health of our bodies. You smash that little guy against the bedroom dresser and you learn very quickly that, “If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it” (verse 26)!

In God’s eyes, even the most seemingly insignificant part (person) is held in the greatest esteem, if it (he/she) is actually serving the purpose that He has put it (him/her) there for. Paul doesn’t specify who the “less honorable parts” are (verse 23), and that’s probably a good thing. I’m certain that I wouldn’t like being identified as the “armpit” of the congregation. But, I am so glad I have armpits because they are very important to the health of my body! God made it that way! Let’s try to see people the way that God sees people. No one inferior, no one superior, but all important and dependent upon one another, and working together toward the same spiritual goals.

Please read 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 for tomorrow.

God’s blessings and safety!

- Louie Taylor

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