Maybe Paul never looked into a
mirror that wasn't dim (1 Corinthians 13:12) because although the nose might be necessary more often
than not the eyes think it’s too big. Truth is most people can find fault with
one body part or another and wish the weaker parts could be dispensed of more
easily. And on the flip side - thinking of oneself as Adonis means Narcissus is
not far behind. It may be that judging oneself either too harshly or
inaccurately is where mistreatment of the body begins and why these words of
Paul have too often fallen on deaf ears. When we cannot recognize our own worth
we are blind to the worth of others. But if I see myself through the eyes of
Christ as worthy of God’s affection and choose to live into that identity then
I believe it becomes more difficult to deny others the same honor. And so each
member values the other because each member is valued by Christ. To
dishonor the other, to think or speak ill of them, to plot and plan and even
pray for their downfall is to scorn Christ himself. In the end it is God who is
grieved and injured when the body behaves badly towards itself. But it was the
grief of God over a creation gone horribly wrong that led Christ to the cross.
In love that is the still more excellent way his body was broken to make ours
whole and his death is our life. So treat yourself well today for your body
belongs to Christ. And remember that the body part that had the nerve to sit in
your pew last Sunday is dear to the heart of Christ as well.
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