THE SPECIFIC DELINQUENCY OF CORINTHIANS
BELIEVERS
1 Cor. 10:16-17
lb. Now the
apostle moves one step closer to the real problem in the Corinthian
church. The proper use of Christian liberty demonstrates a person's spirituality.
It also has a definite relationship to service. But beyond that, it bears
on the salvation of a believer.
2b. The
Israelites all enjoyed the privileges of redemption out of Egypt and
the amazing provision of the Lord in the wilderness (10:1-4). But with many the
Lord was not pleased, and they were overthrown in the wilderness (10:5). Paul
writes these things to the Corinthians to avoid the pitfalls of the Israelites
(10:6-10). They lusted after evil things, they fell into idolatry along with
the pagans in the wilderness, they engaged pagan practices of heathen, even to
the point of sexual sin dedicated to idols, they tempted Christ, they grumbled
against the Lord; so the Lord allowed 23000 to die in one day, some were
destroyed by serpents, and some were destroyed by Satan. All these were types
for instruction to Christians. They presumed on their freedom and blessing from
the Lord and suffered defeat.
3b. Therefore
the Christian should not presume on his new liberty that there is no
possibility for him to fall. Let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall
(vs. 12) Testing is inevitable in a world full of sin. But God will make a way for
the believer to escape in victory. But this means that the believer should flee
from idolatry, not flirt with it. If they are wise they should understand that
eating meat offered to idols is getting too close to the pagan practices from
which they were saved. And engaging in such practices are bound to bring one
into the very atmosphere that will condition their own thinking and eventual
destiny. He is not saying that an idol is anything, or that which is offered to
idols is anything. But he is saying that Gentiles who perform these things are
worshipping that which the idol represents, namely, demons. And demons are very
real. They belong to that host of rebellious spirits who took their stand with
Satan and are engaged in warfare against God.
4b. It is
clear then, that Christians should not share in common with demons. A
believer cannot come to the table of the Lord and engage in common with the
Lord, and at the same time be joining in common with demons. That is a
monstrosity, and an abomination to the Lord. This will provoke the jealousy of
the Lord and arouse His wrath. While all things may be lawful to the believer,
it does not follow that all thinks are proper, nor that they build one up
spiritually (vs. 23). All things may be lawful to the believer, but he should not
pursue the principle of satisfying himself. He should seek the welfare of his
fellow believers. The conscience of that weak believer should be the guiding
principle in his life. Therefore the ruling principle for conduct should be
the glory of God. This means that he will not do anything that will hurt Jew,
Gentiles, or members of the Church of God.
5b. The
communion service should teach every believer this simple truth. Taking
the cup and the bread of communion is not only sharing the body and blood of
Christ, but it is also sharing in common with every believer in the Church, for
all are united in Christ. If a believer repudiates this truth he is not only
abusing the use of Christian liberty, he is repudiating his relationship to
Christ. This could mean that he is demonstrating that he has no vital
relationship to Christ and is therefore not in any sense a truly saved person.
"For we being many are one-bread, and one body: for we are all partakers
of that one bread" (vs. 17). The communion service should remind us that we
are partaking of symbols that point to our sharing with Christ, but also to our
sharing with every other believer in Christ. Otherwise our own salvation may
be at stake as we discharge our responsibility in Christian liberty.
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