CUTTING OFF FINGERS

Several years ago I was working with my brother siding a house. I was cutting a piece of trim to put over one of the windows when our work day came to a sudden end. Let’s just say that it was the closest I ever came to cutting off a finger.

• 15 . . . Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
  Ephesians 4:15-16 NIV

Paul likens us as believers to being members of the Body of Christ. Just like our fingers, toes and countless other body parts we are all connected to each other. But how does this connection work?

The nerve that unites us to Christ and one another is love. Through the love of Christ we are forgiven of our sins and accepted as members of His body. Without God’s love we would forever be separated from Him and each other.

The nerve of love further animates us as His body. Christ is the head the body. Jesus was compelled by love to go to the cross so that we might be reconciled to God. As members of His body His love should likewise be the motive of everything we do and say. His love directs us to reach out to the lost that they might be saved. And it is His love that knits us all together as members of His body.

I’m glad that I’m connected to Christ, but the connection does not stop there. Notice Paul says, “The whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love.” Love connects believers to each other. We need each other because we all play a part in the function of the Body. This is especially true within the local church. The nerve of love feels the pain when believers separate themselves from one another.

My finger has healed. All that remains is a small scar, a reminder of how painful and handicapped I would be if I try to cut it off again. Division in the church is even more painful, handicapping the body from effectively being who are called to be and doing what Christ has empowered us to. Scripture says, “Love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). I guess love works like the Band-Aid to heal our self-inflicted wounds too. Trust the heart; forgive the hands. What do you think?