Life's Inanities and Ironies

Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper, is a sacred act of worship—a moment to remember Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, proclaim His gospel, and unite as His church. However, the Bible provides a sobering warning about participating in this ordinance improperly. In 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 (NKJV), the Apostle Paul declares: “ Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. ” For those who hold the Bible as the inerrant Word of God, this passage calls for serious reflection. What does it mean to partake in an “unworthy manner”? What are the consequences? And how should we prepare? Let’s dive into Scripture to find the answers. The Corinthian Context: A Church in Chaos To grasp Paul’s warning, we first ne...

A Story of Alliances and Deception In the book of Joshua, we find Israel at a pivotal moment in their conquest of Canaan. Fresh off their victories at Jericho and Ai, they face a new challenge—one born not from the battlefield but from a deceptive alliance. The Gibeonites, fearing destruction, tricked Israel into a treaty by pretending to be from a distant land (Joshua 9). Israel, failing to seek God’s counsel, made a covenant with them. Now, in Joshua 10:1-5, we see the consequences unfold as five Amorite kings unite to attack Gibeon, drawing Israel into a conflict they never anticipated. This passage, though ancient, speaks powerfully to us today. It reminds us of the dangers of deception, the importance of seeking God’s guidance, and the value of honoring our commitments—even when they are made in error. Most importantly, it reveals how God can redeem our mistakes for His glory. The Danger of Deception: Seeking God’s Wisdom The Gibeonites’ deception is a stark reminder that appearan...