SCRIPTURE
1 Corinthians 11:17-22 (NRSV)
Abuses at the Lord's Supper
Now 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, to begin with, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and to some extent I believe it. Indeed, there have to be factions among you, for only so will it become clear who among you are genuine. When you come together, it is not really to eat the Lord's supper. For when the time comes to eat, each of you goes ahead with your own supper, and one goes hungry and another becomes drunk. What! Do you not have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you show contempt for the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I commend you? In this matter I do not commend you!
DEVOTION
Oh my goodness! The Apostle Paul was not happy about the things he was hearing about the church at Corinth when he penned today’s verses! It seems that the people in the church were arguing amongst themselves in addition to being greedy and selfish as they celebrated The Lord’s Supper!
While we may not have people getting drunk from the Holy Communion wine today, as Christians we do continue to fight amongst ourselves bringing shame to the Kingdom of Love. Additionally, I am sure that many of us would do well to repent of the sins of selfishness and greed.
It seems that as human beings we are besot with sin-sickness which is a terminal dis-ease. God says to love God--and we love idols. God says to love our neighbors--and we hate them. God says to care for “the least of these”--and we hoard our blessings rather than sharing them with others!
Lord, please have mercy on us poor sinners!
But, whilst Paul’s letter is an open rebuke to The Church, there is still GOOD NEWS for us today!
Although it is true that we sin and fall short of the glory of God, there is a cure for our sin-sickness! There is a balm for our dis-ease! His name is JESUS.
JESUS is God’s love all wrapped up in flesh. JESUS is the proof that God loves us unconditionally! Aren’t you glad that God’s love sent Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life?
Now, as a result of Jesus’ death and resurrection, God’s Amazing Grace holds us tight, even when we fight with each other and act in greedy or selfish ways that are contrary to the Law of Love.
When we sin, by omission or commission, the Holy Spirit speaks to us, gently correcting us, and urging, nay compelling us to make things right! This is God’s gift to us and this is our gift to the world!
When we fight in The Church, we are quick to make up. When we sin in The Church, we are quick to repent. When we fail in The Church, we are quick to make things right.
Because of JESUS, we know that we are more than conquerors through Him that loves us! We know that a righteous man falls down many times, but always gets back up again with the help of God (Proverbs 24:16)!
It is so sad that so many people are so ashamed of their sin and mistakes that they attempt to hide themselves from GOD. They think that they have messed up too much for God to forgive them. So they run from God hoping that their sin will never catch up to them!
Dear Friends, God wants you to know that you cannot out run, out sin, or outfox the love of God that has been revealed to us in Christ Jesus!
Simply put, no matter how bad you’ve screwed up, God still loves you and God still wants you to come home!
Won’t you come home to God’s love today by putting all of your hope in Jesus to forgive your sin and gift you with eternal life? If so, please pray with me:
Dear God, thank you for loving me so much that you gave Jesus to die on the cross for my sin! I am glad that Jesus did not stay dead, but was resurrected just like He promised! Today, I am putting all of my hope in Jesus! Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit. I know I messed up bad, but I trust you to make everything right. Please be with me as I share Your Love and Grace with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
SPECIAL NOTE
If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! I would be so honored if you would let me know about your decision by clicking “Yes” in the poll located at the top/right of today’s devotional! I am so happy for you! Happy Spiritual Re-Birth-Day!
Next steps: In response to what God did for you just now, let me suggest that you consider telling another Christian so that they can celebrate with you! Ask them to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand so that you can learn more about your new-found faith! Ask them to help you find a good Bible believing church where you can be baptized and make new friends who will walk with you on your new journey! You are already saved; now let God mature you by faith! Congratulations!
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PUT ALL OF YOUR HOPE IN JESUS--If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus"
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
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