“…the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” (1 Corinthians 12:22-26)
Which part of your body would you do without? I seems culturally normal that (with age) people have hands that “freeze up”, or a “trick knee”. But I’ve never heard someone seriously suggest that they would be better off without part of their body. Why? Because, we know that with all of our members we can succeed at far more than we could if we were missing a part of ourselves.
As Christians we are members of each other, and the church would not be what it is if someone were just cut off- missing. Sure, that knee may ache, but better an achy knee than a crutch. Build each other up. When one kicks the edge of the couch one does not reach from the knife and chop off that last little toe. More common would be the response that we sit down on the floor and cradle it. Ice it, guard it, rest it, and give it our full attention.
Perhaps we would be wise to follow this example more often. Stop and give full attention to member that needs it. Next chapter, “If I…[am the best of the best of the best]… and have not love, I am nothing” (paraphrase with alteration of 1 Corinthians 13:1-3). Members of the church are just that- members. How unlovingly insensitive to be insensitive to the needs of needs of others.
Do you have a need? Do you have a sin that you need to stop or an ache that your heart just can not longer hold? Allow your fellow members to sit down and show you the love that, from time to time, we all need. Love never ends.