I Apologize

For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 NAS95

On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it. 1 Corinthians 12:22-27 NAS95

The very old joke about why Jesus is so great with computers is answered with the statement “Jesus Saves.” Today’s musing is being written for the second time because it seems that the author forgot to save his work. I hope that I can write with the passion and clarity I wrote with the first time.

I listened to a speech two days ago about how a member of a Toastmasters club I belong to was treated recently. The speaker described several anger invoking things that had been done, and I was getting really ticked off about what had happened to them. It is important that you know, and understand, these things happened because she is a woman. Basically, her education as a Ph. D. was dismissed, her years of experience were ignored, and she was, once again, subjugated to a second-class position and citizenry because of being a woman.

I was fuming.

Last weekend I heard a preacher tell men to be “the spiritual leaders” of their homes. It disturbed me then and it disturbs me now. What? You are no doubt thinking, doesn’t he believe men should be the spiritual leader in the home? Nope. Before you stop reading and write me off as a heretic, let me explain. I believe a man should be “a” spiritual leader in the home, not “the” spiritual leader. It takes moms as well as men, as spiritual leaders, to lead in the home. In fact, when it comes to all matters, both parents should be leading, showing their children the best, the very best, they have offer from their lives. Anything less, we are failing our children.

When men are held up to be “the” leaders, we say, in effect, that women are second class. That attitude permeates outward, and justifies the way women get treated all over the world as being second class to men. Religions, worldwide, subjugate women to second class status, and professions, employers, governments, take on the attitude of religions and denigrate women.

It is time for the church, aka the body of Christ, to read our text for today again. Whether Jews, Greeks, slaves or free we are the body. Whether men, women, or children we are the body. Read the entire text, verses 12-27. Some parts of the body are not very comely. Some attract all the attention. But, “every part” is important. In 2020 I lost my colon to disease. I never gave it much thought as being very important. Rather, it was not something you ever discussed because, well it was second class to the better parts of the body. Let me tell you, that colon is very important.

Too often women get treated like I treated my colon. Not important. IT IS WRONG. Men, if you are a man reading this, you probably need to apologize to a few women in your life for not fully appreciating them, and recognizing that they are just as important as men. If you are a woman reading this, I apologize for my gender.

Jesus showed Himself to a woman first after the resurrection. He sought out the woman at the well, to bring her living water. We know Paul includes several women who are leading churches or are prominent in the early church, in his writings. God uses Miriam, the sister of Moses as one of the first prophetic voices of the Bible. God uses Esther, “for such a time as this.” The pages of the Bible are full of women of faith and leadership. It is time for the church to begin a new era. An era where men and women are “a” spiritual leader, where both are “a” leader in the home.

Guys, lead with your wife, not lead your wife. Recognize the women in your life, and the women you come into contact with, are to be honored, respected, and treated as well as you would treat any man. Perhaps even better. They, too, are part of the body of Christ.

No doubt there is more to say on this subject. I don’t have the space, therefore here is my challenge: Men, let’s see what happens when we treat women as equals. Maybe, just maybe, we will discover a better way. (I can almost give you an iron clad guarantee it will be better.)