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. 18 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, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.
I just finished a degree last week and I am excited that I will no longer look at grades to see if I have been commended or not. Like most people, I long to be commended. The church in Corinth, on the other hand, did not have much experience with it. Paul was about to lower the boom on the church for their practices in the Lord’s Supper and this did not soften the blow. First, he dealt with divisions but presented them as necessary because in a conflict about sound doctrine, there is a right answer.
Come to Cape Community Church tomorrow and see what Paul was so excited about. The church took one of the most beautiful representations of our communion with Christ and each other, the Lord’s Supper, and cheapened it, making it a gorge feast and ignoring the poor who may need that meal for sustenance. We will see what heart condition is required for such callousness and be convicted ourselves of how we do the same. We will celebrate the fact that God loves us anyway.
Dear Lord, thank you for your steadfast love for us that never moves or changes. May our response be gratitude at your table. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church