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THE MAJOR EFFECTS OF OUR MINOR BODY PARTS
BY IRMA F. MATRAI

Last month, something strange happened to me. From one day to the other, my middle finger on both hands became so painful that I could hardly move or bend them. Then, if I was able to bend one or the other; it became so set in that position that - for several minutes - it would not straighten out. And forcing it, was impossible.
That's when I realized what a major effect those minor body parts - namely my fingers - can have on my whole body, or on my wellbeing, my daily accomplishments, and my looks! For, the pain made me so cranky that I neglected several of my responsibilities, or had someone else do them. Then, the things I was able to carry out; were harder than ever to do, and took longer. For example, it was harder to lift. It became impossible to kneed. It was difficult to type, write on the black board, handle my student's report papers, cook, clean, comb and even wash myself, etc. In addition my fingers became so deformed that they gave the impression of being crippled. Can you see how many major problems my minor body parts caused me?
Then, I went to a physician, who specializes in the healing of hands. He said that my problem can be cured. But there are two possible solutions. Namely, to give me an injection into each palm, or conduct a little surgery at the same place instead. I asked him to experiment with the injections first, and only try the surgery if that wouldn't work. He was willing and injected both of my palms immediately, without numbing them. "Ouch, ouch, ouch!" I cried out, while silently asking God to make the injections work, so that I may not need surgery.
After three weeks my fingers were almost totally painless. Still, I kept asking the Lord to heal "me" completely. Another three weeks later, I had to go back to the doctor. Then, I found out the final results. Namely, that I didn't need surgery.



The Bible says that God's children are part of Christ's body, or the church; as my fingers or other body components, are part of my whole body. We maybe hardly or highly educated; or hardly or very talented; yet each and everyone of us are equally valuable for the church; just as each of my body components are extremely important for me. Moreover, if one of us suffers, the others suffer also; as my whole body suffered when only two fingers were hurting. Or, if anyone of us commits some kind of a sin; all of us feel the impact, and the whole church's reputation suffers. Then, if God takes the sinner out of circulation, all of us will be touched by that too. On the other hand, if that person will repent and therefore will be restored; all of us will rejoice also. In Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12, (NKJV), the apostle Paul put it this way:
For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we being many are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another... For as the body is one and has many members, but all members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ... If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body?... the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you." No, much rather those members… which seem to be weaker are necessary... And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it, or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.



On the basis of these Scriptures quite a few questions may arise. First of all we should ask ourselves: Believing that Jesus is the Son of God; did I invite him into my heart already, thereby becoming God's child and a member of Christ's body? If not, we may do it now by praying: "Dear Lord Jesus; I believe that you are the Son of God. Please come into my heart and forgive my sins. Thank you for forgiving me, moving into my heart, making me God's child, a part of Christ's body, and even granting me a place in heaven right now. Please help me to become a valuable part of your "body," a useful servant of yours. Amen."



Then, if Jesus was already, or just moved into your heart; you may ask the following questions: Am I aware of the fact that I'm now a member of Christ's body? Therefore, do I love my brethren from the bottom of my heart; in other words, the weak as much as the strong; the courageous as much as the cowardly; the educated as the uneducated; the mature as the immature; the friendly as the unfriendly, etc? Do I suffer when one of them suffers? Do I grieve when one of them stumbles? Do I intercede for them, in their time of need? And do I rejoice with them when they rejoice?
Jesus said: "...love one another as I have loved you... By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35 (NKJV). In other words, the world will only notice that our life belongs to Jesus if - as members of his body - we practice love, peace and unity amongst ourselves. Meaning that if we don't hurt; don't take advantage of; don't gossip about; don't fight with; don't attack each other; and stay away from causing divisions. Instead, we try to be tenderhearted and patient with each other. Care for each other. Suffer when one of us suffers, and rejoice when any of us rejoices. Or, bear one another's burden. Which will be so noticeable to the outside world that they will automatically remark: "These people love and support each other as if they were members of one, big, loving family. Or, as if they were all members of Christ's body. Then, they may even develop a desire to follow our Savior. Thus - regardless of what a minor part of the church we may think ourselves to be - by practicing such a loving lifestyle, we may have a major, life saving, eternal influence on others. Meaning, that we may become an instrument in saving their soul.