Hidden From View, Yet Indispensible1 Corinthians 12:19-22
If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable...
Thoughts for Today:Most Biblical scholars agree that Paul is speaking about the vital internal workings of our bodies. God made this point very real to me as I have been in bed for the last two weeks with back pain. I found that I can have strong shoulders and arms, yet if one, seemingly insignificant disk in my low back is not functioning properly, then bending down to pick up a piece of paper is an incredibly agonizing task.
Take a look at the stomach. Although hidden from view, without its nourishment physical ability is nothing. Or the hip flexor -- with a slight tear in this innocuous muscle group, walking or running is a virtual impossibility. So we can't say to any part of our body, "I don't need you." The parts that might appear the weakest (or the function concealed), we find are indispensable. Unfortunately, we only discover how important something is when it fails to work properly. And if that happens the entire body becomes disabled.
The same can be said of the church. Even its most visible and noteworthy members are completely dependent upon what every other part of the body provides. Without this perspective, the church does not function at its highest level. And if not corrected, it will eventually fail and fall into chaos and general dysfunction.
Questions to Ponder:There is a principle at work in the church: As we strengthen each other we also increase our own effectiveness. Have you been applying this principle? Is your church or ministry operating as God intended? In which areas can you help?
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