Scripture to Read: 1 Corinthians 11:17
God had used Paul to lovingly rebuke the believers in Corinth about many things, and another loving rebuke is recorded in 1 Corinthians 11. We read in 1 Corinthians 11:17, “But in giving this instruction, I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse.” God used Paul to warn the Christians in Corinth that what they were about to read in the letter written to them was not a praise report about them, but rather, a rebuke. God had Paul share with them that when these Christians gathered for worship and to grow in their walk with Christ, it was not benefiting them but was causing more harm than good. God never wants us to be a stumbling block to each other, especially to those who are new in their walk with Christ or are still immature in their faith. Jesus gave us these words in Matthew 18:6–7, “…whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” Jesus gave a strict warning about causing any little one to stumble. This is a great reminder for us to be sure that we examine our lives carefully each day. We must also ensure that our hearts are prepared as we gather together to worship our Lord with other believers and that we are in right fellowship with our Lord and with the ones we are worshiping with.
Challenge & Application
When has God had to lovingly rebuke you about an area of your life, and how did you respond and also grow from that rebuke?
Why is a loving rebuke a positive thing and not a negative?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!