“As
it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I
don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On
the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And
the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our
presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together,
giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no
division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each
other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored,
every part rejoices with it.” 1 Corinthians 12:20 – 26 (NIV)
There was a popular song back in
the in mid-1950s through the mid-1960s called; Love is a Many Splendored Thing. It was written for a film by the
same name (1955) and became the theme song to a soap opera in the 1960’s with
the same name. However, I remember hearing the song in all of its dramatic,
early 1960’s glory with swelling instrumental accompaniment and tight,
emotional harmony provided by The Four Aces whose version is ranked as the most
popular. What drew me in as a young girl in the mid-seventies was the signature
line, love is a many-splendored thing. Now, at seven, I didn’t know what many
splendored meant but based on how they were singing it, I knew it had to be
good! Hence, my view of love and loving others was formed by popular culture
and my need to be loved. I was often dramatic in demonstrating my love, even at
a young age. I was incredibly affectionate and gave that affection freely without
concern for how it looked or seemed to others. I loved anyone who came into my
circle unless they were mean to me or rejected me and my demonstrations of
love. I often gave those who hurt me second and third chances because I assumed
everyone else wanted to be loved just like I did. So when it was all said and
done, I just wanted to love and be loved!
First Corinthians 12:20 – 26 instructs
us to show concern for each other. Not false concern, but concern borne out of
love for one another. We within the Body of Christ should express love so
freely amongst ourselves that we should be overflowing with love when we walk
out of our secret prayer closets and out of our church services that we infect
the world around us with the love of Jesus Christ. Believers should never work
to divide the members in the Body, but strive at all times to bring the Body
closer together! We should be so connected to one another in the spirit that
when one of us suffers, we ALL suffer. We one of us is blessed, we should ALL
rejoice with them! First Corinthians 12:20 – 26 reminds us that we are all
connected to one another. This connection guarantees that we will ALL be
impacted, good or bad, when even one member of the Body is impacted. We must
commit to loving one another, praying for one another, and working out the
issues that divide us within the Body in order to rebuild the love, trust, and godly
concern that should and must exist amongst Believers in order for God to move
among us as He desires to move within the Body of Christ, and the world!
Prayer: Father, I have not loved
Your people the way that I should. I have not loved You the way that I should.
I have not uplifted those who were weak, and I’ve not rejoiced with those who
rejoiced. I repent for these sins, Father, and I ask that You forgive me. From
this day on, with Your help, I will love the way You want me to love. I will
uplift those who are struggling or weak, and I will rejoice when others rejoice
in the blessings from heaven. I want to please You above all things, and bring
glory to the Kingdom, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
