Unity.

In general, the word independence has a positive tone: she’s an independent thinker; he’s growing up and gaining some independence. But independence is not always positive.

Robert’s body had declared its independence. Robert desired to hold his daughter and give her the kind of hug only a father can give. But his arms had declared independence from his mind. They no longer showed the love that was inside of him; his arms either sat limp or flailed and struck at anyone within reach. His opinions could not be voiced because his vocal cords no longer communicated what his mind was thinking. They only chortled and grunted sad tones. Even his looks were not a clear expression of his mind. His face often looked tortured and melancholy—a far cry from the man he used to be. He wished to remain clean but he daily lost control of his bodily functions and frequently soiled himself. Robert became, in my mind, a sad glimpse of independence: the body’s independence from the mind. 

Robert had a rare condition called Huntington’s chorea. It’s an inherited disease that causes the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain. The brain can’t clearly communicate with the rest of the body and this incapacitates proper limb movement. Simply put, his body declared independence and lost unity. Such independence destroys the normal functions of the body and its capability for a normal life.  

What if this independence struck the body of Christ? All followers of Jesus are linked together in a way that 1 Corinthians 12 calls “the body of Christ.” 

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. // 1 Corinthians 12:12

We are meant to function as a unit in just the same way that the human body is to function in unison. We are not individual, independent, and autonomous members of the body. As a healthy human body must function together for unity and the common good, so it is with the body of Christ. We are meant to function in a manner that shows concern for the best interest of the whole. This causes us to ask questions like, “what does the group need?” and “what would be best for the body of Christ?”

The more we recognize our placement in the body of Christ, we recognize that God has placed us here to have an unprecedented concern for the rest of the body. 

This is a difficult and strenuous daily struggle. Such unity often disrupts and derails my opinions. The more I seek to be a unified part of the body of Christ, I seemingly give up some of my rights. But Jesus reminds us that the complicated work of unity has its reward in the long run.

If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. // 1 Corinthians 12:26

I have no doubts that the application of this truth will be complicated and intense at times. We need Jesus’ power and strong sense of concern to override our independent nature. We can’t do this alone. Awareness is a good next step. Are we aware of any forms of disunity in the body of Christ? Are we aware of our role in the body of Christ and how we can contribute to its unity? I’m sure you have formulated other similar questions that we can all wrestle through as we seek to live out the gospel in our lives.

As I conclude this note for the week, I would like to add this prayer: 

Lord Jesus, as you grow us in the Christian faith, you awaken our need to operate in unity with other members of the body of Christ. I know this is not my natural state of affairs - my heart seeks my own independent will. But you have placed us each into the body of Christ for the benefit of the whole. Work your grace deeper and deeper into our hearts and minds that we become what you have made us to be. Make us to function as a whole and healthy body for the glory of Jesus’ name. Send us your Holy Spirit to awaken our understanding of the changes that need to take place. It is in your name we pray, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Blessings to each of you as individuals and as part of the body.
Pastor Al