For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.
--1 Corinthians 11:31-32 (NKJV)
From the daily Bible reading on May 31, 2013 of Psalm 103:11-22; 1 Corinthians 11:2-34; 2 Samuel 17-18.
In the latter part of the eleventh chapter of his first letter to the church in Corinth, Paul wishes to refresh the members' memories of how he taught them to observe the Lord's Supper. The early Christians would often gather for a fellowship meal in connection with Holy Communion, during which communications with other churches would be shared and a love offering for the widows and orphans would be collected. Apparently some of the wealthier of the church family in Corinth had taken to eating greedily and not sharing with those who were poorer when they arrived. Paul said it would be better if they ate and drank their fill at home first, and not defile the Lord's Supper with their greed and gluttony (please see verses 20-22).
And then Paul once again gives evidence of that very special link he has with Jesus as he accurately describes the events of the Last Supper, held on the night Christ was betrayed. He tells the church that what he received from the Lord he delivered to them (verse 23). The information that Christ imparted to Paul over that dedicated communications channel Paul in turn taught to the church; how Jesus gave thanks for the bread and then broke it (verse 24), the very words that Jesus spoke as He shared the bread and the cup (verses 24-25). And while he addressed the church family in Corinth, his message to them also serves to remind us that every time we observe this ritual, we should be reflecting back on the life and death of Christ while looking forward to His second coming (verse 26). This is not just a meal, but a remembrance of the great sacrifice Jesus made for all of us.
Finally, Paul warns that anyone who eats the bread of Christ's body or drinks from the cup of His blood while still harboring unconfessed sin will be just as "guilty of the body and the blood" of Christ as those who had Him nailed to the cross (verse 27)! Partaking of the Lord's Supper, of Holy Communion, should be taken very seriously. It is a time for us to search out our souls, sift through our hearts, look for any impurity we need to rid ourselves of, any sin for which we need to seek forgiveness, any ill will we hold for another. If we don't do this, then we risk going before our Lord and being judged by Him (verse 29). At the extreme, this could cause us physical sickness or even death (verse 30). So as Paul tells us in today's focus verses, it will be much easier for us if we judge ourselves first, getting rid of what we find, before Christ judges us. In this way we can avoid the severe punishment that the world will receive. We will be forgiven if we honestly examine ourselves, realize our sin, and seek Christ's forgiveness. Amen.
Dearest Jesus, we know You will be our judge when that day comes for us to face up to how we lived our lives. But now we also realize that You look into us every day to see the sin that remains in our hearts. When we carry that sin to Your holy table to share Your elements in remembrance of You, You will judge us for that sin. Forgive us, please Lord, for our failure to judge ourselves. In Your blessed name, Lord Jesus we pray. Amen.
And then Paul once again gives evidence of that very special link he has with Jesus as he accurately describes the events of the Last Supper, held on the night Christ was betrayed. He tells the church that what he received from the Lord he delivered to them (verse 23). The information that Christ imparted to Paul over that dedicated communications channel Paul in turn taught to the church; how Jesus gave thanks for the bread and then broke it (verse 24), the very words that Jesus spoke as He shared the bread and the cup (verses 24-25). And while he addressed the church family in Corinth, his message to them also serves to remind us that every time we observe this ritual, we should be reflecting back on the life and death of Christ while looking forward to His second coming (verse 26). This is not just a meal, but a remembrance of the great sacrifice Jesus made for all of us.
Finally, Paul warns that anyone who eats the bread of Christ's body or drinks from the cup of His blood while still harboring unconfessed sin will be just as "guilty of the body and the blood" of Christ as those who had Him nailed to the cross (verse 27)! Partaking of the Lord's Supper, of Holy Communion, should be taken very seriously. It is a time for us to search out our souls, sift through our hearts, look for any impurity we need to rid ourselves of, any sin for which we need to seek forgiveness, any ill will we hold for another. If we don't do this, then we risk going before our Lord and being judged by Him (verse 29). At the extreme, this could cause us physical sickness or even death (verse 30). So as Paul tells us in today's focus verses, it will be much easier for us if we judge ourselves first, getting rid of what we find, before Christ judges us. In this way we can avoid the severe punishment that the world will receive. We will be forgiven if we honestly examine ourselves, realize our sin, and seek Christ's forgiveness. Amen.
Dearest Jesus, we know You will be our judge when that day comes for us to face up to how we lived our lives. But now we also realize that You look into us every day to see the sin that remains in our hearts. When we carry that sin to Your holy table to share Your elements in remembrance of You, You will judge us for that sin. Forgive us, please Lord, for our failure to judge ourselves. In Your blessed name, Lord Jesus we pray. Amen.
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