1 CORINTHIANS 11
29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judgedourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplinedso that we may not be condemned along with the world. 33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait forone another— 34 if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come. 1 Corinthians 11:29-34
1 CORINTHIANS 11 JUDGE ONESELF SO YOU WON’T BE JUDGED
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
As sinful people, it is automatic for us to pass judgment on others
But if we are in relationship with God, we will love our brothers
We must only judge ourselves against the laws of the Lord
We do not use our preferences and the standards of the world
Let us examine our hearts constantly especially when taking communion
It will defile the Lord if we do not prepare for ourselves for this union with him.
Paul continues to guide the Corinthian church with regards to the Lord’s Supper. He explains the consequences of not preparing and examining one’s heart for this very important remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. This was instituted by Christ himself and they were all commanded to meet and remember this holy sacrifice he did on the cross. When we do not examine our hearts before we partake of it, we are putting judgment on ourselves and it can lead to our illness, weakness or even spiritual or physical death. Do all believers take this very seriously? Sometimes it becomes a chore and routine to receive communion without much thought on the process of preparing for it.
Paul talked about judgment here and he admonished them to judge oneself instead of others. It is easy for humans to point fingers at someone else instead of looking into one’s faults, weaknesses or even admit our own sins. When we do this, we deflect and cover up our sins, something we don’t want to do especially before communion. It tarnishes our hearts, it defiles the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross to cleanse us from sin.
REFLECTION
- What are we missing when we do not examine our hearts for communion?
