"A More Excellent Way!"

My mind is still on the analogy of the church as Christ’s Body.  And I read a commentary this morning, on 1 Corinthians 12, that I found very intriguing. The writer’s  name is Raewynne Whiteley.  Her commentary was in Feasting on the Word.  She begins this way:

“The human body has 206 bones, 639 muscles, about six-plus pound of skin…as well as various ligaments, cartilage, veins, arteries, blood, fat and more.”  The she goes on, “Every time we hear a sound, every time we take a step or breathe hundreds of different parts work together so that what we experience is a single movement.  Our mind and body and senses work as one unit.  Even the great engineers struggle to achieve anything like it in mechanical form. 

The human body represents one of the most complex systems in existence.  

That is why the body is one of the most powerful images, for the church, offered in scripture. 

This metaphor conveys both complexity and pure unity....The body does not work well when parts check out.  Because when part checkout function and balance are impeded, prevented, hindered.”

                                                                            

Her point — according to me?  There is no such thing as belonging without participation!  Non-participation in the body’s function is to abrogate, do away with, the very nature of the body.  

It is clear that we as followers of Jesus have a purpose.  None of us are excluded from doing our part.  

What seems to get left out of this lovely analogy is the passage where Paul write about the various gifts God provides for the workings of the body: 

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

So here is the deal!  In the traditional church we have committees, boards, programs and many other expectation for members.  There are various jobs to be done to keep the church strong.  And members “need," are expected, to do their part in the workings of the church.

Have you ever thought about the fact that Jesus didn’t have members?  

He had followers! It would be wise for us to keep that in mind! 

At the end of his little analogy Paul writes something very intriguing. Something that moves all the set patterns, of past traditions. just a bit off center. 

strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

What, do you suppose, is the “a more excellent way?” 

Mother Teresa tell us: “Do small things with great love.”

The more excellent way is love!  Jesus’ kind of love!  

As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians  13:

Love does not insist on its own way!

It is not arrogant of rude!

It is not envious or boastful!

It is not irritable or resentful!

Then he continues this theme later in a letter to the Colossians:

“Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness and love.  And be thankful.” (Col. 3:12f)

To clothe is an interesting way to frame behavior! Because then, behavior becomes very personal. Skin close!   

With the exception of humility and meekness — two terms that do not express the true Greek meaning — the other six adjectives are fairly clear.  We all know compassion and kindness.  We all appreciate patience and forgiveness.  And no one doesn’t want to be loved and thanked.

So what don’t we get about Jesus call to love? What seems to have gotten lost down through the centuries?  What is it that we are failing to comprehend — understand — about how we are to live as part of this amazing body? 

I am thinking that the institutional church has, in many ways, interrupted the natural process of being a follower.

So how then are we truly suppose to clothe ourselves in the ministry of love?  ???????? 

I will suggest it as simple as doing what one does best!  Simple things, like a smile of kindness! A hug given to someone who is sad or angry!  Sharing our food or our time!  

We are told that God gives each of us gifts.  Things we do almost without thinking.  Like the movement of the body that works together because it is the natural thing to do.  Like normal breathing!  No extraordinary effort needed!

Being a member of the Body of Christ does not mean being stuck in a church building with a lot of people praying and singing.  The best, and most effective, parts are out in the world living God’s word in helpful and loving ways using: compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness and love.

That is truly what being clothed is actually all about. Moving through our lives in the same manner that Jesus did.