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, rI hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part,5 19for sthere must be factions among you in order tthat 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, uanother gets drunk. 22What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise vthe church of God and whumiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.
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