In 2003 the Christian band “Casting Crowns” released the hit single, “If We Are The Body”. The song tells a story and asks an important series of questions in light of 1st Corinthians chapter 12. The story begins with that of a lonely woman fading into the faces of a church service. Perhaps she made her way to church reluctantly, carrying the baggage of her past, weighed down with all of the hurt and pain of past choices, alone and broken she takes the courageous step to attend church that she either hasn’t attended in years, or has never been. She feels judged, looked down on, and broken. There is another man alone attending the service as well. He is a traveler that is far from home, and he quietly sinks into the back row, hoping to worship and be encouraged as he is away from his usual community for the weekend. However, instead of feeling loved and encouraged in a church that isn’t his home church, he feels judged by the glances that are directed his way… Then, the following questions are proposed: “If we are the body, why aren't His arms reaching? Why aren't His hands healing? Why aren't His words teaching? And if we are the body, Why aren't His feet going? Why is His love not showing them there is a way?”
I think it’s important for us to ask some of these same questions. This may be so in our own churches as with the allegories above. Are we reaching out to the lonely and hurting folks walking through the doors every Sunday? Are we extending words of encouragement, or glances of “you’re sitting in my seat”? Are we approaching people with genuine hearts, or mulling over things like the weather? This song contains these questions about how we interact with and treat the people that fall into our lap. But the same questions can be asked for our neighbors who just got a fresh diagnosis, for our friend from work who is struggling through a relationship, or the soccer coach that is battling a substance abuse problem. Do we pass these folks by in judgement, or do we reach out as a member of the body of Christ?
First Corinthians 12 takes it much deeper than this and forces us to ask some more difficult questions. Not only are we the body that ought to be reaching out and walking towards people, but we should be doing it with a heart of unity, and we should be pursuing the unique opportunities that God has gifted us for and placed us in. So, the first set of questions: In our pursuit to love God and love people, are we doing it together? Or, on an island? Do we appreciate all members of the body and not just the ones that scratch our backs? Do we value other members of the body regardless of age, skill set, skin color, or socio-economic status? We need to continually pursue unity with other parts of the body. Otherwise, we may end up tripping ourselves, poking an eye out, and maimed or seriously injured. The second set of questions: Are you exercising your own unique spiritual gifts? Or, are they lying dormant? Are you trying to fit the square peg through the round hole? Are you trying to force something that isn’t there? The truth is, God has geared your personality, wired your brain, and shaped your desires to have certain “spiritual giftedness”. It is vital that you learn what that is! You can function much better as the ear that you were created to be if you stop and listen instead of continuing to look around.
The body of Christ must work together, with all of its unique members functioning in their proper role, with the purpose of loving God and loving people. If we are the body, our feet need to being going, our hands need to be reaching, our words teaching and encouraging, and our love bringing glory to God and showing people the way to Him.
I think it’s important for us to ask some of these same questions. This may be so in our own churches as with the allegories above. Are we reaching out to the lonely and hurting folks walking through the doors every Sunday? Are we extending words of encouragement, or glances of “you’re sitting in my seat”? Are we approaching people with genuine hearts, or mulling over things like the weather? This song contains these questions about how we interact with and treat the people that fall into our lap. But the same questions can be asked for our neighbors who just got a fresh diagnosis, for our friend from work who is struggling through a relationship, or the soccer coach that is battling a substance abuse problem. Do we pass these folks by in judgement, or do we reach out as a member of the body of Christ?
First Corinthians 12 takes it much deeper than this and forces us to ask some more difficult questions. Not only are we the body that ought to be reaching out and walking towards people, but we should be doing it with a heart of unity, and we should be pursuing the unique opportunities that God has gifted us for and placed us in. So, the first set of questions: In our pursuit to love God and love people, are we doing it together? Or, on an island? Do we appreciate all members of the body and not just the ones that scratch our backs? Do we value other members of the body regardless of age, skill set, skin color, or socio-economic status? We need to continually pursue unity with other parts of the body. Otherwise, we may end up tripping ourselves, poking an eye out, and maimed or seriously injured. The second set of questions: Are you exercising your own unique spiritual gifts? Or, are they lying dormant? Are you trying to fit the square peg through the round hole? Are you trying to force something that isn’t there? The truth is, God has geared your personality, wired your brain, and shaped your desires to have certain “spiritual giftedness”. It is vital that you learn what that is! You can function much better as the ear that you were created to be if you stop and listen instead of continuing to look around.
The body of Christ must work together, with all of its unique members functioning in their proper role, with the purpose of loving God and loving people. If we are the body, our feet need to being going, our hands need to be reaching, our words teaching and encouraging, and our love bringing glory to God and showing people the way to Him.