1 Corinthians 10:18-22 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?… I. "THE DECISION WHICH IS ESSENTIAL TO THE MAINTAINING OF THE CHRISTIAN CHARACTER. "Ye cannot be partakers," etc. Paul does not mince the matter, but holds forth the solemn fact that idolatrous worship is the worship of devils. 1. Mark what real Christianity is. It is a Divine participation, not merely a participation of bread and wine; that were to be partaker of man's table, because man provides them. To constitute it the Lord's table, the Lord must be present, and I must by faith partake of the Lord, as my lips partake of the bread and the wine. 2. Mark how this excludes all Satan's baits. (1) By "the table of devils" I understand carnal objects engaging the affections, vain amusements, etc. A real Christian is not careful to contrive how near he may go to hell and yet not perish; but he is anxious to try how near be can live to God and Christ. (2) But more is intended. The apostle is speaking throughout of idolatry. 3. "Ye cannot be partakers" of both. "No man can serve two masters." It is this which condemns the spirit of compromise. It cannot be expected that, if you have been meeting with His enemies at their table, Christ will meet you at His as a friend. II. THE OBLIGATION WHICH MAKES IT IMPERATIVE. 1. Have you ever attempted to calculate what you are indebted to grace for? Have the infinite obligations under which you are laid by the acts of grace had their due influence upon heart and life? Were an earthly monarch or an earthly friend to do for you or for me a thousandth part of what Jesus has done, all his injunctions and wishes would be sacred with us. And how is it that Christ should have given Himself for us, and yet we should feel such a wretched coldness and indifference to the interests of His kingdom upon earth and His throne in our own hearts? Think of the mighty debt we owe, and then ask whether we can " be partakers of the table of the Lord and the table of devils." 2. The obligation rises still higher if we bear in mind the dignity of the character to which we are exalted. Remember you are not merely pardoned, but adopted; made kings and priests to God, and destined to live and reign with Him. And shall such dignity of character be debased by our "partaking of the table of devils"? 3. What is your expectation? To be like Christ and to see Him as He is, to be entirely and eternally rid of sin, and he a partaker of glory. And shall I forget it all and be "a partaker of the table of devils"? God forbid! (J. Irons.) Parallel Verses KJV: Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?WEB: Consider Israel according to the flesh. Don't those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? |
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