Friday, May 14, 2021

Do No Harm

 

DEVOTION

THE 1ST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

DO NO HARM

1 Cor 11:17-22

17 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, 21 for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. 22 Don't you have homes 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 praise you for this? Certainly not!

NIV

This is somewhat a difficult directive to grab a hold of. Of course, this is pointed directly at the Church in Corinth and what was happening when they gathered for the purpose of public worship. We understand the use of the word church did not nor does it mean today, a building place to gather in, but rather the people are the church. It is also clear there was a division among them and it also is clear that in some gatherings of the people of God, they are also some divisions. It would seem that some of the division among them was in either their wealth or position in society or both. The only parallel we can think of that would resemble what Paul is warning them about is what we would call, a linger longer, or a carry-in, or potluck dinner at church. There have been churches that we have been in where being at the end of the line means having less to eat than those at the beginning of the line, for they heap their plates with no concern of those behind them. This is not the norm, but we have seen it happen. This must have been what Paul was talking about for they were not taking communion in the same sense that we do today. Many times we will all take the elements of communion and wait for the pastor to remind us of the Lord’s words regarding his body and blood and we partake together, at the same time. This is the right and full meaning of communion, being in communion with Christ and with each other. Within this time, we are to spend reflection on our worthiness to partake. That is, if we have any unconfessed sin, it is time to make things right. Paul will get to that next when he tells them and us that we should examine ourselves, so as not to eat and drink in an unworthy manner. But here it is more about the divisions that are within the body of Christ. It is about the wealthy showing their wealth, eating and drinking the best of foods in plenty and having much, humiliating those who have little. We certainly live in a capitalist society and it is fine that some make far more money than others, which is the way of life. Those who were able to make much, have much and those who were not able have less. In the body of Christ, there should be neither pride nor jealously regarding the social and financial differences that exist. However, when those with wealth flaunt it without caring for those in need, something is desperately wrong. That is what Paul is upset about with this Corinthian church. Hopefully, we do not have that kind of discord in the church today. Hopefully, we have not allowed anything to come between us in the body of Christ, that there is a common and mutual love and respect among all of us. Hopefully that our gathering together does not do us any harm, but is for the purpose of building each other up, bringing unity in our faith, and unity in our worship of our Lord. Hopefully, we do no harm.  

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