the church: his body

1 Cor 12:12-27

When the local church is thought of as an Institution or as an Organization, commitment becomes optional. But, when we see the Church as His Body, I.e., the Body of Christ, commitment becomes Personal.

Paul describes the Local Church as a body and shows unity in diversity. In doing so, he shows both function and feelings. As the individual physical members of the body have specific functions; the eye for seeing, the ear for hearing; when serving in the particular area for which it is created, the whole body benefits - if not, the body suffers from dysfunction.

Likewise, these members have feelings that may be easily offended, especially if those members are weaker (without strength; more feeble; sick, etc.) See 1Thess 5:14.  Elsewhere we are admonished as to the proper care and treatment of such weaker brethren. In the present context, those weaker members are to be considered as necessary (vs 22).

In verse 25, Paul warns against scisms, or divisions and admonishes care for one another. See also Galatians 5:15.

In verse 26, we are advised that suffering in one member affects all, as also does honor. Feelings, then, have an effect on the Body; whether good or bad, positive or negative.

Hurt feelings, whether true or imagined, often arise in the Body and require attention. Even as missing members due to injury or dismembering, may cause 'phantom pains", so also may those who have disassociated themselves from the Body.

Hurting people are often blaming people, cf. 1Samuel 30:1-6. Granted, these are often weaker members and immature in their walk with the Lord, still, they are hurting. Seldom are people as spiritual as we expect them to be. There is no hurt like "church hurt"!

The Cure: The hurt must be addressed, Scriptural Remedies perscribed - but, even then, they must be properly administered (Gal.6:1). It is then that healing may begin.  Sometimes a scar remains to remind us of the event...and of the healing that has taken place.

"There is a balm in Gilead, To make the wounded whole. There is a balm in Gilead, To heal the sin sick soul."