11/13/2006

Response-ibility

…to Christ
…to fellow believers in Christ
…to the lost

We mostly do well with the first and last. But, as observed, the second is neglected; our love for each other has grown cold, or worse, apathy has become the rule of the day.

1 Corinthians 12:12 says For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

So what am I in the body of Christ? If I’m just a nose hair, I will not let go. I’m one with fellow nose hairs that filters air inhaled by the nose.

1 Corinthians 12:26 says If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

If I don’t feel the pain of a fellow believer, I need a self-check. I might be surprised to find that I’m only the greatest wart in the body of Christ—not benefiting the body but causing ache and humiliation.

Am I connected to the body but disconnected from the head (or brain if you may)? Am I a little finger that loses all kinds of feeling, thus I can’t support the coffee mug when the body wants to drink?

We all know this. But do we understand its essence? Each one must be an encouragement to another.

I need to stop pointing my finger to a fellow Christ-believer and blame him for not showing Christlikeness to me. Change must start with me.

Of course, there are times when we don’t agree. This is necessary for our growth. But do I hide self-agenda and call it “rebuke”?

Let each of our actions be an act of love.

What has this got to do with our purpose here in LGG? Everything! A body fulfills its role better if every part, even the ones we consider ugliest, does its part.

How do I answer for my fellow believer in Christ?

2 comments:

chrisd said...

People who are not believers watch this. If we are ugly to each other, it does not reflect Christ.

And you are right. When I point my finger at you, there are 3 pointing back at me.

Stirring thoughts! Thank you, Carizz

Deborah Cullins Smith said...

Thank you for this beautifully written exhortation. We all need to be reminded once in awhile to play nicely and get along with each other.

Where love abides, God's purposes are triumphant.