1 Corinthians Day 76 - The Judgments of God

11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

The most misunderstood Being in the universe is God. Atheists write off His existence because they reason logically that if an all powerful loving God exists why is the world in such a mess? Others say He does exist but He is an angry tyrant bringing judgment on those that step out of line. Every hurt, every sickness, and every misfortune is interpreted as some kind of Divine punishment.  When dealing with the mess in Corinth Paul touches on the judgment of God. 

 

First let's note and understand that most trouble that comes upon us is simple cause and effect. Paul says the effect of being a selfish gluttonous pig is weakness, sickness, and death. Modern medicine would agree. This is true both physically and psychologically. Abuse your body with over eating and drinking in excess and your body will suffer, leading to a lack of energy, then sickness, and then premature death. The same is true mentally. We were created to give, to share, to serve. When we put ourselves first it leads to unhappiness, even depression.

These are all negative things we can and often do interpret as judgments from God but they are self-inflicted. Now note Paul's concluding statement on the matter. He says if we would judge ourselves (check our unChristlike behaviour and change) the negative impacts of our bad choices would go away. Then notice his final statement. When we suffer the negative effects of our bad choices it is a chastening from the Lord so that we will not be condemned with the world.

What does that mean?

It means these people have chosen Jesus. Remember he called them saints repeatedly. However they are flirting with trouble. They are being drawn back into their Christless life. God has designed it so that bad choices produce negative consequences. It is a disciplinary process. It is like the warning lights on your car dash or a ringing fire alarm. They tell us to correct our course. To fix whatever is out of sync or something worse will happen.

All of it is designed to save us from ourselves and our bad choices. The Bible says God is not willing that any of us should be lost but that we would all choose right and live. He wants us Home. Taste and see that the Lord is good.