Complete English translation
That God is only ready to punish and punish when there is even a little mistake?
Many people see God even as a figure who is ready to eliminate even His own people.
However, is it true? Is God really like that?
There is a technique called PhotoMosaic, where a collection of small photos is combined to form one image that bigger. Likewise with the verses of the Bible. Each verse has its own meaning, but to really understand the big picture, we need to "go back" a little and see the whole context.
So, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of God in an inappropriate way, he is guilty of God's body and blood. Because that, everyone must examine himself first, and only then eat the bread and drink from the cup. Because the person who eating and drinking without acknowledging Christ's body, he ate and drank punishment on himself. That's why many of you the weak and sick, and some died. - 1 Cor 11:27-30 referring to this verse, some churches avoid holding the Holy Communion because they are worried about the congregation or the priest is not worthy before God. Looks spiritual, and makes people "scared & nervous" of God-because people who don't deserve to die, like the title of this article "Tuhan Senggol Bacok." However, let's use the approach photo mosaic: we zoom out, look at the context of this reading, then zoom out again to understand the plan and character god, so that we can understand the contents of His heart.
The NIV translation gives a very appropriate title to this passage: "Correcting the Abuse of the Lord's Supper" so, let's read 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 and find 5 interesting points to see this passage in its entirety:
Verses 19-26 (what is meant by "supper in an inappropriate way")
1. There are church congregations who want to "show off" their blessings and do not want to share with other congregations.
They ate until they were drunk, while some other congregations were still hungry.
2. This kind of behavior shows that they do not have a heart that loves their fellow congregation and instead divide the body of Christ by shaming the poor congregation.
3.
The purpose of the Holy Communion is to remember the love of Jesus which was expressed through His sacrifice.
Actions as mentioned above clearly do not reflect Jesus' love for the members of Christ's body.
Verses 31-34 (God's family will receive discipline not punishment - discipline/chasten vs condemnation)
4. We are disciplined (disciplined/chastened) by God so that we are not punished (condemned) together with the world.
5. The Holy Communion is a supper of love, where we prioritize the interests of the congregation. God disciplines his church, even to death, because they have no love and divide the body of Christ.
Conclusion: (zoom out to see God's plan and character more broadly) god is love (1 John 4:8). He knows that we are all people who are full of sin, not worthy of before Father. Therefore, we are qualified through the sacrifice of Jesus, so how important it is for us to celebrate the Holy Communion as a commemoration of His extraordinary sacrificial love.
God will discipline us, His children (Hebrews 12:6) even to physical death because of Him loves us and does not want us to fall into apostasy (1 Corinthians 3:17) or divide the church (1 Corinthians 3:17) so that we are condemned (condemned) with the world (John 3:18). God takes His people doesn't mean sending they go to hell, but for us, His children, "being taken" by God means our duty in the world is done.
Look at Moses, who was healthy, fresh, and fit, but God "took" him because his task was done. (Deuteronomy 34:7) so remember, everything is for the glory of God and the work of the Kingdom of God. If the death of a person the congregation can bring fear and trembling to God among the church congregation and make people repent, isn't that a death that is pleasing to God?
So, let us boldly face the throne of His grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to get help in time. (Hebrews 4:16) ananias and Safira are often described as people who are punished by God, but there is no mention it was explicit that God sent them to hell. Try to think about it, which one of us has the heart to sell our house and give the money to the church? This couple did make a mistake to God, but if we see it from the perspective of 1 Corinthians 11, do you think we will meet them again in heaven?