Necessary parts

No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 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, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it,  - 1 Corinthians 12.22-24

I wonder how we would respond, if we were not promoted, to the question 'who are the most important people in the church?' Chances are if asked we would talk about famous speakers or authors or professors or lecturers or noted Christian personalities. In the local church we might talk about how important the pastors are or or how needy the deacons. We might praise our missionaries or special speakers. We seem to have a set up that honours certain parts of the body. 

I was once in a meeting where the speaker had all of the students at a Christian college who were pastoral studies majors to stand. He then had those planning on youth work or missions or 'evangelism' or some other 'full time' service. He then made a point that these were 'God's choice servants.' Those of us who were seated felt kind of embarrassed and 'less honourable.'

That kind of thinking seems to dominate and permeate some parts of the church.

But that flies in the face of what Paul says here. Paul says that the parts of the body that we think are the least honourable are due the most honour. Indeed, God Himself honours the parts of the body that lack honour.

Bobby Walker. That's the name that comes to mind when I think of this passage.

‘Bobby who?’ you might ask. Who is Bobby Walker? And I think that’s the point.

Bobby was the guy at Calvary Baptist in Huntsville who nobody saw, but did everything. He never preached, as far as I know he never taught Sunday School or served as a deacon. He never did any of the out front stuff.

But he was the guy who made sure the grass was cut and the car park was clean and the building was tidy and the light bulbs were replaced and so on and so on and so on. He was the guy who would pass a missionary some money to buy a new suit. He was the guy who always knew when people were going through a tough time and called them aside and wept with them.

Bobby is never going to write a book. There will never be a book written about him. Bobby is not the kind of guy who would appreciate a ‘Bobby Walker Day’ even if the church held one for him.

I am sure Bobby is not perfect, but I suspect that he is one of those ‘least honourable’ members who God will bestow honour on.

We need to worry if we are not the honoured or respected or esteemed members, but God will one day sort that all out.

Praise God that He sees the ‘less honourable.’