1 Corinthians 10:14-22
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 18 Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? 19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22 Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (1 Co 10:14–22). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
We cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons. The bread we break and the cup we take are participation in the body and blood of Jesus Christ. There is one bread that unites the body of Christ together. There is one cup that unites the those who proclaim Christ crucified together.
Most of us have a problem with understanding what idolatry is today. Most of the time it is explained as an image or statue which people used to venerate. But today most people do not have statues or images they pray to. But strangely enough most of the people who do have an altar in their house have placed a statue or image upon it of a saint or even of Jesus Christ. Are these images idols?
Other people have established structures of belief around false doctrine. They have twisted the words of scripture to suit their own societal beliefs. Some of even abandoned the whole of scripture for the parts they like similar to Marcion. These various heresies could be compared to idolatry. Idolatry is worshiping false gods or a perversion of God. Muslims and Jews have long perverted the truth of Scripture. There are many Christian Churches today that have fallen into similar heresies.
You can not partake in both the table of demons and the table of the Lord. St Paul has told us many things concerning idolatry. God has spoken repeatedly about the worship of false gods. But here all these false gods are equated to the worship of demons. Turn from the worship of false things. Listen to the Word of God.
Jesus Christ offers forgiveness. God has provided salvation for your soul. He does not condemn you forever. But he will gladly welcome you to turn for these tables to His table. Come and worship Jesus Christ who was crucified for the forgiveness of your sins. Come and worship God who created all things. Come and Worship because God saves you by his grace.
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