We Need Each Other

No, no, no, no and no again!

I don’t hear people voicing those thoughts and feelings too often but they do exist, and perhaps you can identify with some of that. It might even just be a sense of not really fitting in, not having clicked with people, sticking out like a sore thumb. Well even a sore thumb is still completely part of the body.

St. Paul’s message is the same now as it was then. Do not discount yourself or exclude yourself from the body of believers, from the church. See yourself as Christ sees you – dearly loved brothers and sisters.

So after making the point that in the Body of believers there is both a unity and diversity – as there is within the Trinity – Paul counsels those who are unsure about their place within the Church.

We’re not all preachers, not all gifted public pray-ers, not all great at working with children or young people, not all musicians, not all creative with art and flowers, not all amazing listeners, not all good cooks, not all good with our hands, not all great thinkers, not all red hot at admin, not all full of spiritual insight; but some of us are, and all of us have a place and a role within the mission of God.

For many of us our main role in the Church is to be an ambassador for Christ in the workplace and we shouldn’t expect or need you to give hours and hours to what’s happening in this building. Neither should you expect it of yourself. Those with time and energy available are not more important in the Church.

God has a place for all of us because we are many parts but one body!

Then, having addressed those who feel unworthy, St. Paul addresses members of the Church who are looking down on others for whatever reason.

Perhaps some Jews were feeling superior because of their historical ties as God’s people, the covenants and the commandments. Perhaps some Greeks or non-Jews were feeling superior because they had come into a relationship with Christ without having lived a life involving constant scrutiny, countless rules and laws and directions for living. Perhaps some revelled in their freedom and almost felt sorry or pity or even disdain towards some others in the Church.

Perhaps some slaves and masters felt likewise.

And so St. Paul writes, ‘The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable’ (12: 21-22).

Have you ever thought, even for just a fleeting moment, “I wish we didn’t have to put up with that person, that group, that theology or that drummer”?

Paul Scanlon tells of the time at the Abundant Life Church when he looked around at the 600 or so church members and realised they were nearly all white and middle class – in Bradford! A lady from one of the poorest estates got saved. She experienced the love of God in her life. She became a modern day disciple of Jesus and Paul asked her to bring along some of her friends to Church. She said, “Give me a bus and I’ll bring them.”