1 Corinthians 10:1-13 None of This is Magic.

 

Observation: Paul is writing a divided church in Corinth, including many members who are Jewish. He gives the church a warning from the time of Moses: even though the Israelites were as close to God as one tribe of people could get, they still strayed from God all the time. The cloud of God's presence moved overhead, the sea parted for them, and they had food and drink provided from God's own hand. Yet still, they went after idols, they sinned, and they tested God. If it could happen to the Israelites, Paul suggests, it can easily happen to this new community of Christians. 

Application: I recently read an article about a congregation with a number of members who fell deep down the rabbit hole into Qanon conspiracy theories. Though they were very active in the church, and though the pastor tried every way he knew to engage them in loving conversation, anything he said that contradicted their beliefs about politics or current events drove them further away. For some members, no amount of preaching or Bible study could undo the damage that had already been done. They eventually left the church. 

It's not just QAnon. There are all sorts of ideas and ideologies that try to replace God, and demand our total allegiance. There always have been, since the time of Moses. Paul's dire warning is that just taking part in religious activity does not save us from every kind of false idol. Being baptized, receiving Communion, hearing God's word, prayer and conversation with other Christians are all important and transformative. But they're not magic. They don't automatically make us good people, or protect us from every form of falsehood this world throws at us. They don't take away our free will to accept or reject God's love and guidance each day. If God's Word or the sacraments don't have any place in our lives, or only a marginal one, I do believe making more space is always a good thing. Yet even those who take every opportunity to turn toward God still need to be humble and vigilant, and know that we're not perfect. Sometimes we'll still realize we were wrong. Sometimes we'll still need to repent and ask forgiveness. 

Prayer: God, thank you for your Word and your holy meal, which spark faith in my soul. May that spark catch fire. Guide my heart and mind today. Amen.