Together for the Better

Our upbringing and experiences in church life can deeply impact our convictions and expectations.  Those who claim to hold fast to a biblical worldview can have very different preferences when it comes to gathering with other believers in fellowship.  Some churches place a great deal of emphasis on receiving communion, others in singing songs or the preaching of God's word.  Some people do not feel like they have been really ministered to unless they have shed a tear, spoken in tongues, been swept up emotionally in song, gone forward to the altar in repentance or prayed with a pastor.  Some congregations are expressive in worship and others more subdued in the praise of the same glorious God.  By God's grace He has provided freedom for us to draw near to Him in worship and thanksgiving with a congregation and individually.

There is a very real danger for the diverse members of the Body of Christ to be divided because of our personal preferences or convictions and undermine the good purposes God has in bringing us together.  In support of one practice we can become strongly opposed to others.  This was on display at the church in Corinth, and Paul mentioned this in 1 Corinthians 11:17-20:  "Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. ¹⁸ For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. ¹⁹ For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you."  Paul shared his concern about divisions or factions among those in the Corinthian church and how they came together "for the worse."  The answer was not to split into multiple congregations but to hold fast to the essential matters of faith in Jesus Christ according to the oneness they shared in Him.

When the congregation gathered to eat together, the common elements of bread and wine used by Jesus Christ the LORD were on hand and were received in obedience to His command.  An event which was to demonstrate the unity of Christian believers had given rise to divisions between the rich and poor, perhaps of Jew and Gentile, regulars and foreigners, those who arrived early or late, and between fans of Paul and Apollos.  It seems people were interested in being approved and recognised by others when it was Jesus who was to be proclaimed.  Isn't it ironic something Jesus commanded His followers to do in unity gave rise to divisions and factions?  We are all prone to divide what God has joined together and thus faith in God works to keep us united with Him and one another regardless of personal differences.

I have been giving thought to my background and how it has (to a degree) shaped my convictions and conscience rather than the word of God.  My desire is when I gather with brothers and sisters in Christ it it would be for the better.  Imagine doing more harm than good when gathering together!  Part of receiving Communion is to examine yourself--not to stand in judgment of others (1 Cor. 11:28).  We partake of Christ not due to our worthiness but because Jesus is worthy to be remembered, proclaimed and looked to with expectancy in faith.  When our eyes are focused on Him in recognition in all He has done, much that tends to divide us will fade away in the light of His goodness and grace.