“So then, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. If anyone is hungry, have him eat at home, so that you do not come together for judgment.”
In this passage Paul is discussing the Lord’s Supper… a solemn ritual remembering the crucifixion. However, some people in the Corinthian church had taken something that was intended to elevate God and used it to elevate themselves. The wealthy members were arriving early, and bringing expensive food, gorging themselves, and even getting drunk. While the poor members brought meager servings and went hungry. Paul cuts through the ceremonial pretense and says, “if you’re hungry eat at home” … Don’t come to church to show your wealth or put others down. Paul is clear about God’s opinion of them embarrassing His children while pretending to worship Him, and he is not afraid to offend the offenders.
Pastors seldom speak in that tone today because we have decided that God wants only what makes us happy and comfortable. That’s not accurate… His goal for us is Holiness, which brings joy, but not always happiness. We were created to worship God, not vice versa. We come to church to honor Him, not to elevate ourselves.... “Seeker sensitive marketing” is something some churches have come up with to fill their pews, and it is not supported in scripture.
Take a hard look in the mirror. Do you go to church to show others your righteousness, or to humbly worship your Heavenly Father? Do you dress nice to honor God or to bring attention to yourself? Will you walk into church this Sunday and say, “here I am!', or will you say, “Ah, there you are.’”? …Honestly consider those questions, because the answers change everything.
God’s two greatest commands are to love Him and love your neighbor. These commands are inseparable: we cannot obey one while neglecting the other. They are non-negotiable, and ignoring them brings consequences. This passage makes it clear that attending church to promote yourself is not worshiping God… it’s self-worship. Going to church while looking down on others only reveals that you’ve forgotten why you needed Christ in the first place. Reevaluate your approach to worship today and experience the rejuvenation God provides when we humbly enter His presence.
"Nothing is more dangerous than spiritual pride, because it disguises itself as righteousness." - anonymous
I really enjoyed this lesson. It was a good reminder to pause and examine our hearts before we take on any activity, especially when we serve in the church. Are we building God’s kingdom or our own?
ReplyDeleteThe Lord has given us a purpose for our time here on earth. We are called to be ambassadors for His kingdom and to point others to Him. When we seek our own glory, our sin can damage our witness and affect how others see the Lord and respond to Him. As you pointed out, that’s a sobering responsibility and one we should take seriously.