Caring

Ever noticed how even the "toughest" of men can become a big teddy bear when a newborn baby is placed in his arms? Yet, no viewer of this precious scene thinks the man is weak for such a gentle act of tenderness.

Showing care is not a sign of weakness, rather it is an act of honor. That is the Apostle Paul's point in verses 22 through 24 of 1 Corinthians 12 (which are from our key passage for this One Body series):

"On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 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. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it."

1 Corinthians 12:22-24 (ESV)

Who do You Honor?

Walk into most any semi-public social gathering like a school or workplace and chances are high you will find someone who doesn't quite fit the norm. Often, the individual dresses a bit differently, talks a bit differently, and has very different interests than the rest of the group. Because of these differences, this individual typically gets ignored or ostracized, which is why he or she is usually the one sitting alone in the school cafeteria or break room.

Yet, the local church is to be completely different. Rather than make the "undesirables" feel left out, these individuals should be honored like a muscle man honors a newborn: with care and joy.

And in case you don't realize it, newborns are kind of disgusting little creatures. They don't "deserve" joy-filled care. They poop and pee and spit up without any apology, yet demand their own way through ear-piercing wails (sometimes even in the middle of the night!). Yet good parents will still tenderly care for these selfish little humans because the "weak" should be honored with this type of Christ-like love.

But why should a Christian give greater care to the "private" (aka "less honorable") parts of the Body of Christ? Because King Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these..., you did it to me." (Matthew 25:40) Your care of the weak and different reflects your love for the Lord. "For while [you] were still weak, at the right time Christ died for [you]." (see Romans 5:6-10)

So ask yourself this week,

• "How am I showing honor to those in the church body, including those who are different than me?"
• "And what can I specifically do to show Christ's love to them, so they might know they are part of One Body with me?"