YOUR LEGACY

YOUR LEGACY:

In 1 Corinthians 10:6 we read, “These, on the other hand, have become for us a model of what not to be - lusters, cravers, desirers of evil - as they too were consumed.”

The reference is clear in the preceding verses, i.e. the Israelites in Moses’ day who perpetually grumbled, rejected, questioned, and rebelled against God only to be “struck down in the desert” (v.5). The legacy they left for their descendants - and us - was one of shameful destruction.

Here, in Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth, Scripture depicts the divisive, rebellious, legalists, complainers, consumers, and snipers within the church as a “model” or “example” of what not to be: lusters, cravers, and desirers of evil who “tempt Christ.” Paul subsequently equates them with the Israelites whose legacy it was to be “struck down in the desert,” “destroyed by snakes,” and “killed by the Destroyer.”

Paul’s concern for the church at Corinth quickly turns to rebuke and condemnation for divisions, incest, litigation, immorality, idol worship, and what most accurately translates to the consumer mindset today in many churches across America and the globe. A mindset of showing up whenever it’s convenient for me, parking in the closest available spot (even if it’s labeled handicapped, guest, or new parent), running in late, grabbing the seat at the back, and leaving early without having invested in anyone, loved on anyone, demonstrated compassion for anyone, or having “waited” on, or for, anyone… because after all “It’s all about me, mine, and my - right?”

The Corinthians were not only living selfish, immoral, licentious lives indistinguishable from the pagans, but they were showing up to “worship” and “celebrating” the Lord’s Supper with no reverence for God and no care, compassion, or concern for others.

Toward the end of chapter 11 Paul notes, “on the night when He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread… and said, ‘This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same way also the cup after supper and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood… Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

Was Jesus simply referring to the act of eating and drinking when He said, “Do this in remembrance of Me” or was He referring to the position of our hearts (worship and praise) and our mindset regarding others (humility and service)?

In 11:33 Paul writes, “Therefore, my brothers, when you come together to eat, ἐκδέχεσθε.” It’s often translated “wait for,” but that Greek word implies more than simply being polite and allowing others to eat first. Instead, it implies the humble expectation of a servant. Paul undoubtedly intended to repaint the picture of Jesus - God - washing the feet of His disciples, on the night he was betrayed (John 13:1-17), where He said, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

Jesus’ legacy for His disciples wasn’t about eating and drinking (Rom 14:17). It wasn’t about the great grape juice or wine controversy. It wasn’t about loaves of bread or wafers. It wasn’t about contemporary or traditional worship preferences. Jesus legacy that night was an example of service for His disciples, i.e. those who love and follow Him.

It’s no coincidence that the biggest complainers, grumblers, snipers, legalists, and gossips are the selfish consumers - the Corinthians - of every local church across the planet.

They rarely contribute, and when they do it’s not about truly serving, but rather about a title or position of authority / recognition. They never do what Jesus modeled the night He was betrayed. They never do what Paul wrote about here in being a humbly expectant servant (see also Philippians 2:3, et.al.).

Instead, as the whole of Scripture testifies, the complainers, gossips, legalists, and snipers in the church today have “become for us a model of what not to be - lusters, cravers, desirers of evil; and just as Paul notes, “as they too were consumed,” because as Ephesians 4:18 notes, “They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.”

The book of Hebrews also address this in stating, “land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.” The consumer mentality is one of a worthless land of thorns and thistles, which is ultimately consumed with fire.

Jesus didn’t leave any room for a third category. He said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

So what’s your legacy going to be? That of a consumer or a servant? Will your’s be a legacy of destruction or blessing?

Blessings,

-Kevin M. Kelley

aMostUnlikelyDisicple.com