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.
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