1Co 12:22-25 “Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.”
There are many members of our physical body that we take so much for granted that we never consider the impact they have. We seldom give our big toe any thought as to its having any particular significance to the body. However, I have known a couple of dear brothers over the years that had to have their big toe surgically removed. The impact on their physical body was such that they had to relearn how to walk.
There are parts of the body that we consider to be at the least immodest and at the worst ugly. Some people consider the feet to be distasteful either due to their shape or their use for walking through a soiled world. Knowing that their feet are vital to the good of the body, they cover them with footwear they deem attractive and supportive.
They might not like to call attention to their feet. At the same time, they have no qualm about someone noticing their new shoes. The part they consider to be less honorable, they cover in a way to give them abundant comeliness. Of course, there are other parts that have no such need.
Someone who might think they have ugly feet may be blessed with beautiful hands. Perhaps their hands are well shaped with slender fingers. Maybe their hands are strong and bear the marks of years of honest labor. They are often decorated with rings or bracelets at the wrist. We seldom feel a need to cover up our hands as we deem them a more comely part.
While we are prone to giving a lot of attention to our physical body and how we present ourselves before others, we do not always give that same attention to the members of the body of Christ. We should feel a great desire to help our brothers and sisters who are struggling with their walk in Christ. Instead of being ready to point our faults and failures to others, we should have such a love for them, as fellow members of our own body, that we would do all we can to convert them (bestow honor) and cover them with more abundant comeliness (hide a multitude of sins and save them from death – Jas 5:20).
We also need to learn that our comely parts have no need. The grace and truth of Jesus Christ only needs to be displayed as they are. His love only needs to be demonstrated as He would do. We do not need to paint, polish, or attempt any improvement of our comely parts.
God has combined (tempered) the body together. It is according to His purpose that we learn that the parts we deem feeble are necessary. He has seen fit to give abundant honor and covering to the parts that otherwise appear to fall short. This is His purpose so that there would be no division (schism) in the body. God has so designed the body of Christ that we should have the same care for the lowliest among us as we do the most esteemed.
May God give us the grace to be a whole, unified body that shows no unseemly blemishes to the world by having true concern and love for all our members!
