Tuesday, 16 December 2014
And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 1 Corinthians 12:16
Paul just used the foot and the hand as comparative parts of the body. Now, using the same type of comparative analysis, he mentions the ear and the eye. Each has an important function for the body, and if either is lacking the whole body will suffer. But some might say one is more important than the other. Although not universal, it is common to hear people say that if they had to choose seeing or hearing, they would choose seeing. Because of this, the ear may hear and fear that should the choice be real its time has drawn near.
But Paul asks, “If the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” does it change the fact that it is actually still a part of the body? Of course not! The ear doesn’t stop being a part of the body just because its feelings are hurt that its not an eye. And so the ear can cry (well, if it were an eye), and wonder why its not an eye, but we should not fear that the ear will refuse to hear, even if it attempts to try.
The ear will continue to be a part of the body and it will continue to allow us to enjoy all the marvelous sounds for which it was intended. Both the ear and the eye were designed by God for special purposes which each beautifully performs when it is operating properly. And so it is with those in the church. If the individual understands that their gift is truly needed and of value, they won’t complain against those with other gifts, but will instead work in harmony with them for the building up of the whole body.
Life application. If you are an ear, be happy that you can hear. For faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Someone spoke the word to you and you believed it was true. In that you were saved, when you rightly behaved, by believing not by sight, but in your heart as God says is right. Be thankful for who you are and use your gift to His glory.
Lord, when I think of the intricacy of the body, I stand amazed. Every part fits together so that we can hear, smell, feel, taste, and see. And then we can apply these senses to put together amazing meals, build ships that can fly to other planets, and make timepieces that are so intricately constructed that they can count the moments with the most astounding precision. If the creature can do this, how much more glorious is the Creator. Lord I stand amazed at You. Amen.