BIG IDEA: Believers must root out division with equal care.
Today, we’ll wrestle with 3 words about Christ’s body that challenge us to become radically renewed humans.
First, we find the word INDISPENSABLE as we read verse 22: On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable. This implies we must renew our minds about the parts of our bodies and society we view as weak.
Next, we find the word HONOR as we read verses 23-24a: 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. Honoring someone is to esteem or value them. In Paul’s mind, Christ’s spiritual body parts deserve no less treatment than we give the less honorable or unpresentable parts of our physical bodies.
Lastly, we find the word CARE as we read verses 24b-25: 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. Lifestyles that promote division have sadly become the norm today. Christ’s church, on the other hand, is called to unifying thoughts and habits like having the same care for one another.
Notice how God already shows up and orchestrates encounters around you--learn to see them as divine appointments instead of disturbing distractions. Such intentional living makes life more meaningful for you and others AND will make our church a better image of Christ.
