I Corinthians 8:11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. (ESV)
Who are we? We are the persons for whom Jesus died.
How do I view another Christian? As one thing: The person for whom Jesus died.
What measures all my actions towards another Christian? This is a person for whom Christ died.
What determines the definition of love as I will express it for brothers and sisters? This is the person for whom Jesus died.
What goes BEFORE anything our denominations have to say about one another? This is a person for whom Jesus Christ died.
Why do I have a place at the Lord’s Table? Because I am a person for whom Jesus died.
What is the foundation of every invitation from God and from his people? This is a person for whom Christ died.
Who am I? I am the person for whom Jesus died.
Who is God? He is Jesus Christ who died for me.
What is the Gospel? God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, by dying for you and for me. Believe this Good News and be found and loved by this God, along with all others for whom he died.
What comforts me in life and in death? That God loves me/the world so much, that Jesus died for me/the world.
excellent.
Thank you. I especially appreciate the statement about the Lord’s Supper. The only grounds we have for participating in that meal is that (just as you’ve said) we are the people for whom Jesus died.
Thank you. That really puts some perspective on that verse.
Michael,
Touch ‘em all, man. You just hit this one out of the park. I agree with Haley. After all of the stuff I have read about the Lord’s Supper at your site and elsewhere, this just puts it in perspective.
Thanks for the great post.
Michael,
Jeofurry suggests that you have written a lot about the Lord’s Supper. Where would I find that. Is that on Internetmonk.com? Thank you for this very devotional post.
It’s at IM. Some of it is under the Baptist category. Search using Lord’s Supper, Lord’s Table, Communion and Eucharist.
Thank you. This was beautiful and good and true. I’m grateful that you are continuing to write.
Now THAT is a J.S.S. defining moment!
Why do I have a place at the Lord’s Table? Because I am a person for whom Jesus died.
With whom do I share a place at the Lord’s Table? The one for whom Jesus died.
Me thinks this may be a theology definer,
Thank You!
[...] at Jesus Shaped Spirituality, Michael Spencer has an absolutely outstanding post expanding on 1 Corinthians 8:11. This is short, but loaded with so much to meditate on. Buon [...]
Absolutely outstanding. Thanks.
Simple yet powerful. Thank you, Michael.
Wow. What a powerful thought. Thanks for sharing it.
Thank you Michael. I enjoy you courage to stand out and speak what may not be popular. I enjoy your willingness to approach hoary issues, and I love this scriptural insight.
Again many thanks. Pray well.
Beautiful, simple, true. The next time a pastor invents an extra-biblical sin to hurl at me and I feel my gorge begin to rise, I will remember this passage and forgive. Thanks.
Now here is a catechism to live by.