The pain the Body of Christ is in is immense. His wounds bleed and life flows out. We would care if we knew but instead we do harm; It makes us feel superior.
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Romans 12:3-5
[Be] of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Romans 12:16
Let the Body of Christ look in the mirror. Are we missing half an arm? Is one of our ears carved out? Are our intestines hanging out, cut off from their blood supply? Do we have only one eye? Is our left foot missing all its toes? Does our liver have a missing lobe? Yes, we are the result of a hack job. Is this the beautiful Bride that the Father will present to His Son?
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:27
A good surgeon has the health of the whole body in mind. He or she cuts out disease and infection (sin) and the health of the body improves. Sadly, the current Body of Christ is dysfunctional; sin is left intact and instead, vital organs are hacked off.
But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect {him} and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matt 24:48-51
Let us “First do no harm.” If Christ gave His life for us, we ought to lay down all that we think earns us esteem. Let us deal with sin in the body with humility and with the desire to heal. Also, let us reform the system that elevates one body part over another. All parts must be given place and opportunity to function if health is to be maintained.
Dear brothers and sisters: let’s protect His body from our carnal nature and our knowledge of good and evil. Christ’s Body is His Bride…His Body is His lovely Bride.