September 26, 1993
When a congregation becomes preoccupied with superficial differences, then greed, division, and isolation will replace grace, unity, and involvement. Although the Corinthian church prided themselves on meeting regularly, their meetings had become opportunities for division and self-indulgence rather than fellowship and worship. Alistair Begg teaches that God may allow division in order to weed out heresies, but Christians are to focus on the essential element of our oneness: the unity in Spirit that we enjoy in Christ.
17But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18For, 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,4 19for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 20When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. 21For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 22What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.
Copyright © 2023, Alistair Begg. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Text provided by the Crossway Bibles Web Service.