7. Gospel: In diversity when “one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it”

 WESLEY:

The third and the only remaining place in 1 COR wherein the Apostle uses this word, is the 1 COR 12:20 where, speaking of the Church, he seems to mean the Church universal, the whole body of Christ,) he observes, "God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked, that there might be no schism in the body:" (Verse 24, 25:) He immediately fixes the meaning of his own words: "But that the members might have the same care one for another: And when one member suffer, all the members suffer; and when one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.: We may easily observe that the word Schism here, means the want of this tender care for each other. It undoubtedly means an alienation of affection in any of them toward their brethren; a division of heart, and parties springing therefrom, though they were still outwardly united together; though they still continued members of the same external society.

PRAYER:

Psalm 133:1-3 “How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along!... Yes, that’s where God commands the blessing, ordains eternal life.”

REFLECTION:

Wesley points out that schism (struggle with diverse views) means the tender care of each other.   And how beautiful is that!  Do you see the tenderness of our collective blessing?   If we are to see the beauty we must also point out the suffering of those on the extreme sides and their struggles.   We are blessed to have these souls among us so that in our struggle we may see the Light shine upon our community.   Not in choosing one side over another.   But by honoring and rejoicing with them.  Not for their opinions necessarily but for their convictions and their courage to stand on their God given conscience. 

Let the expressions of our consciences fly through our halls and in the end we all join in fellowship - oh HOW BEAUTIFUL such a place is this.   And in that place I pray we may receive God’s blessing and eternal life.

NEXT: 8. Gospel: it is not the diverse views but denying the unity of the community