When one member of the body is in pain, the whole body suffers to some degree. How many of us have had a sleepless night because muscle, ligament, or tendon was strained and caused pain with every movement? Each and every movement brought on pain which kept you from getting that cherished sleep. The minutes ticked away and you were wondering if you would ever get relief enough to fall asleep. That one body part was hardly ever noticed before because it performed its duties without notice. Not this night! With every breath taken the dull pain would keep you awake.
Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 Corinthians chapter 12:
20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.
21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”
22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.
23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty,
24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it,
25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.
26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
The stronger must compensate and help the weaker. Jesus in Whom all power and authority were given represents the One Who is the strongest member of the Body for He is the Head. We must come to the realization that we need each and every one of us are members of His Body. When one of us is suffering, the whole body suffers. We must keep this Truth before us at all times and not become calloused toward others. Our motivation must be to focus on strengthening those who are weak so the entire body comes into full maturity. What good is an excellent eye without the ear being able to hear? What good is a hand if the foot is unable to transport the hand to maximize its usefulness?
In Colossians chapter 3, Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT:
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Love must be our motivation for ministering to the rest of the body. We must cease judging the weaker members and instead focus on their restoration and help them become stronger in their areas of weakness. Rather than isolating the member of the Body in need, we must rally around that member and provide support for healing and know that it may take time and resource for it be fully restored. Let the rallying cry of the Body of Christ be “All for One and One for All!”