1 Corinthians 11:17-22

                                                         1 Corinthians 11:17-22

But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.

 

When Christians come together, it should be for the purpose of worshiping God and edifying one another. Unfortunately, the sin nature that remains in the believer’s heart can derail that purpose.  Instead of coming together to build each other up, we can become divided and tear one another down.  Instead of worshiping and exalting the Lord, we can become selfish and only care about our own glory.  Paul confronts this reality in the church at Corinth and it can be instructive to us as well.

 

THE DANGER OF DIVISION: When we come to Christ, we become members of the same family.  We form the body of Christ and are to live for His honor and glory.  An important part of being members of the same body and family is unity.  When believers begin to form cliques that are in competition against one another instead of cooperating with one another, we begin to see this danger of division.  Paul says that God’s purpose in these divisions is to reveal the genuine believers as opposed to the false ones. We must work diligently to promote and preserve the unity of the saints for the glory of God and the growth of the body.

 

THE SIN OF SELF-CENTEREDNESS: One of the most important times for promoting the unity of the body is at the Lord’s supper.  Apparently, the observance of the Lord’s supper was much more than bread and juice. It seems it was more of a “potluck” where the body would join in a meal together.  The problem was that some of the people would eat abundantly while others were left without food.  There is no room for self-centeredness in the body of Christ, and especially not in the observance of the Lord’s supper.  As we serve in the contexts of our local churches, we are called to put others ahead of ourselves.  God’s glory and well-being of others should be our priority.

 

APPLICATION: Learn to love and appreciate those who are different from us.  Don’t allow our differences in interests and ability or personality become a source of division in our churches.  Place the needs of others above our own.  Worship the Lord and edify others without seeking our own glory.

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