“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 12:24-26
Loving My Christian Neighbor
I recently strained my groin muscle. I love to run, so having a strained groin is no fun. I normally do my Bible study and prayer time early in the morning and then go for a run. Running is my prayer and worship time. I’ll listen to some sermons or worship music while I run. I get some of my best sermon ideas while I run. I also love being outdoors in God’s creation.
Now, here’s what the rest of my body is not saying: “Well, the groin is hurting, but I’m not hurt. I’m OK and it doesn’t really affect me.” If my groin is strained and I don’t run, that means my lungs, heart and other muscles don’t get a workout. My brain won’t get blood circulating through it rapidly. So a strained groin affects the whole body. If one part is hurting, then the rest of the body is hurting.
The Apostle Paul compares the Church to the human body in 1 Corinthians 12:14-26. If one member or part of the Church is suffering, then the rest of the body suffers with that member or part. If one member is honored, all the members rejoice with that other member.
One way we can demonstrate our love for our Christian neighbors is by suffering when they suffer and rejoicing when they rejoice. If Black Christians are suffering, then non-Black Christians must share in that suffering. We are one body.
— Ikki Soma, Houston Rockets chaplain
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