SCRIPTURE:
31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.
1 Corinthians 11:31-32
OBSERVATION:
The primary focus for the Lord is that we are prepared for the day of the Lord’s Judgement. This scripture is the evidence that what we do in this life matters. God loves the church so much that he allowed them to be sick so that they would not be condemned with the world. They needed a greater discernment regarding themselves.
The church needed to judge, namely themselves. They didn’t judge themselves rightly, because if they did, they wouldn’t be in the predicament—they were getting sick. Paul states in 1 Timothy 4:6, “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” They needed to judge their motives to conform them to the heart of God.
APPLICATION:
Through scripture, we see that God’s people must see through the lens of heaven. We must watch our lives and doctrine closely. In fact, it is so important that God allows storms to come so that we return to the heart of God and therefore escape being condemned with the world.
Do I judge myself? Do I discern my intentions—the heart with which I live my life? It’s the heart of God that holds me accountable; However, God is calling me to hold myself accountable to His heart. It’s my job to judge, namely myself. I'm tempted to judge everyone else first. But God tells me that I should take the plank out of my own eye, then take the speck out of my brother's. I will look at my heart through the lens of heaven via the word of God, because it is a matter of eternal life or death for myself and my hearers.
PRAYER:
Lord, would you help me see myself correctly so that I might know your heart and adhere to your will. Would I have intimate moments with that fuel my resolve to live for you. I love you! Amen.
