1 Corinthians 11: The Motives of Our Heart

 

1 Corinthians 11

The motives of our heart

Scripture

1 Cor 11: 31-32 ³¹ If we were properly judging ourselves, we would not be judged, ³² but when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined, so that we may not be condemned with the world.

Observation

These verses of reflection follow Paul expressing his disproval of the Corinthian church in the way they take the Lord’s Supper. A sacred act of remembering and honoring our Lord Jesus for His body that was broken for us and His blood that paid for the wages of our sins.

Application

We honor Jesus by looking honestly inside our hearts and our minds and confess our sin and wrongdoings and make right with people (forgive them) whom have wronged us. In these actions we humble ourselves before God and allow Jesus Christ to remove the stones from our own hearts and bring restoration in our relationship with Him.

But when it so happens that we are disciplined by the Lord, it is to turn our attention and hearts back to Him. Being disciplined is not nice, but in the life of a true believer of Jesus Christ, we should be grateful and rejoice in it as the Lord’s discipline saves us from the condemnation of the world.

Let us reflect

·       Do we stop to really examine the motives of our heart regularly and honestly?

·       Are we quick to repent of our sins?

·       Are we even quicker to forgive?

·       How do I respond to being disciplined?

Prayer

Psalm 139 ²³ Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. ²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.

 

AMEN

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PASTORA HESMA - JCRC CAPETOWN

 

1 Corinthians 10: DO IT ALL FOR THE GLORY OF GOD

 

1 Corinthians 10:31. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (ESV)

In this verse we are instructed to do all that we do to the glory of God. So, what does this mean to us practically? How do we give glory to God? Do we know what gives God glory?

What does the Bible tell us give glory of God?

·      Ascribe (recognize, acknowledge) to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the Lord in the splendour of holiness (1 Chron 16:28–29, Ps 96:7–8)

·      Worship the Lord (Ps 29:2, John 4:23)

·      Serve the Lord …by the strength that God supplies—that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. (1 Pet 4:11)

·      Give thanks to the Lord with your whole heart. (Ps 86:12)

·      Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matt 5:16)

·      Bear much fruit. (John 15:8)

·      Confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil 2:11)

·      Acknowledge that from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. (Rom 11:36)

·      Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col 3:17)

·      Offer thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;(Eph 1:12)

Giving glory to God can be in many ways. We can give God glory by serving and worshipping in church, in our personal life, in our everyday working tasks, in our everyday relationships with other people.

We give glory when the condition of our heart is right before God.  We show respect to and honour God by acknowledging him for the Good Father he is to us and praising His name. We glorify God when we:

·      Obey Him and live according to His instructions he gives us in the Bible.

·      Confess our sins and truly come back to Him with a heart of repentance and turning away from our old sinful habits every day.

·      Accept his will and what God wants for us.

·      Stay humble and continuing doing the good deeds He called us to without seeking for praise from others.

·      Grow in love and become better, more obedient disciples of Jesus.

Even simple everyday actions like sharing a meal, doing our work with integrity, praying for the colleague at work who is suffering, showing grace and mercy to those around us honour God – with a loving heart and a right attitude without grumbling. Over time, these small habits change our desires and love toward others and help us live for God and become more like him.

Prayer

Lord we pray and ask that through your sanctification process you convict us of the things we entertain in our lives that does not bring You glory. Help us Lord to hunger for You and surrender ourselves for Your glory and to not live for ourself and our fleshly desires. In Jesus name.

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PASTORA HESMA - JCRC CAPETOWN