1 Corinthians 8:1-3 – “With regard to food sacrificed to idols, we know that “we all have knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. ² If someone thinks he knows something, he does not yet know to the degree that he needs to know. ³ But if someone loves God, he is known by God.”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God, the BODY became my focus. Not the human body or the individual spiritual body, but THE BODY OF CHRIST!

A major theme of the New Testament is THE BODY!  1 Corinthians 11 informs us that failure to discern the Body results in bad things.  Paul’s discourse on the Body in 1 Corinthians 12 directly connects to 1 Corinthians 11 and the communion ceremony.

1 Corinthians 8:1-3 reveals that knowledge without Agape produces pride, division, and death.   If the hand develops a hand, doctrine, and devalues the other body parts, does that justify us in cutting the hand off?  Isn’t it still needed, although selfish and in error?  Would it not be wisdom to try to bring light to the hand?  If we eliminate parts that have errors or that we disagree with, we hurt ourselves and diminish our effectiveness.

We are THE BODY OF CHRIST.  We have different roles, functions, gifts, abilities, and levels of understanding.  The factor that makes the BODY a well-functioning machine for the Kingdom is AGAPE!

As a body, we need ALL the parts. Our part is not the whole. Our level of understanding is not the whole. Restoration is God’s heart, not eradication or isolation.

Paul said something in 1 Corinthians 15:10 that is worthy of note: “But by the grace of God I am what I am; and His grace that is in me has not been in vain; for I labored more abundantly than all, yet not I, but God’s grace that is within me.” He shows us the labor of grace and the grace of labor.

Remember, none of us has ALL knowledge. None of us has ALL gifts. None of us can do it ALL.  We are Christ’s Body, or supposed to be. That body works together in AGAPE!

When we criticize and ostracize others, are our words and deeds those of Agape? Are we properly discerning the Lord’s Body?  Open no doors to the devil. Let love prevail.

Lord, mold us into the Body of Christ so we can be Your Bride and Glorious Church!