These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—
What is a “love feast?” Who eats there? Why should anyone have qualms about it?
Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 11, is a great resource on this question. He describes in detail what the love feast is, who and how to eat it, and why it should be taken very seriously.
What is it?
“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (v 26)
It is not a meal for the stomach:
“Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in?” (v 22) If you eat food for the stomach, “it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat.” (V20b)
Who eats it?
“So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together.” (v 33)
Who shouldn’t eat of it?
“For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.” (v 29)
Jude, remember, is talking about “ungodly people” who “deny Jesus Christ.” To take the sacrament of communion with our Lord casually, to participate as a social function rather than a personal communion with Christ, is to deny that Jesus is important. The way Paul describes the Corinthians, they had turned the event into a kind of picnic. (v 21)
We cannot know what is in any heart but our own. Jesus knows every heart.
What we do know is what we see with our eyes and hear with our ears.
Application: If someone treats the Lord’s Supper with less than respect, it is a clue to be noted.
Food for Thought: How does a person ”eat and drink judgment on themselves?“
At the time it appears the poor or lower classes were not invited/included in the love feasts by some with bad intentions. This type of intentional division of the body of Christ went directly against God’s revealed will and Jesus’ prayer for unity in the church. It seriously violates all the “one another’s,” especially the command to love one another. When such actions are taken we are bringing God’s judgement upon ourselves. Literally, we chose His judgment. This can still happen today although it may not be at communion. It happens when we intentionally divide the body due to worldly prejudices. I once heard of a church in Atlanta that only allowed white people in their worship services. I am sure God was grieved. That is an extremely example.
Rich,
Thank you for adding your insight here. I am reminded of the “slippery slope” argument again. Each step away from the Gospel is almost imperceptibly tiny. Each step is a tiny bit steeper. All at once we find ourselves taking a position like the church in Atlanta that you mention.
I meant to say that was an extreme example, but we need to guard our own heart in this matter.
The condition of each persons heart is for God to judge, their heart could change, and we know only the righteous of Jesus Christ will be eternally with God.
We are not called to live in yes, no, maybe obedience to God as He has revealed himself to us. Our works will be tested by fire, “Gods word.” All works failing this test have no eternal value, and will be destroyed.
1 Cor.10:23, All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.
1 Cor. 3:13-15, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
Ron,
Thank you for putting God’s grace and our works into perspective. That is an important point.
👍🏻