Wait Patiently for One Another
“So then, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.” The Apostle Paul
Love and Lordship in Focus…Waiting for, or showing deference to, others is a sign of love and humility. No wonder The Holy Spirit directed us to wait for one another even as we gather together as believers to eat…but it’s about much more than just eating.
Wait Patiently for One Another (1 Corinthians 11:33)
Our next “one another” is somewhat interesting in that it is very simple to understand but evidently not always easy to follow through (maybe that’s true of all of the “one anothers” and certainly true apart from Christ). We find it in 1 Corinthians 11:33 where we are told to “wait for each other” when we come together to eat.
In the context it strongly appears to point to those who were giving into their hunger pangs and coming just to fulfill those with no regard to other believers. This caused them to fall or fail in two ways: 1) to wrongly partake of the Lord’s Supper (Communion or Eucharist) because they were more concerned with filling their bellies and flesh rather than acknowledging The Lord’s sacrifice, death and payment on our behalf, and therefore bringing condemnation on themselves (1 Corinthians 11:27); 2) they ate impatiently and indulgently or selfishly (see vv. 17-22) and without thought, care of deference for others, i.e., waiting respectfully on all those who would gather to partake.
Both of these point to a heart that is hardened and not open to humility, generosity and fellowship as it places self above others. It hinders and/or destroys the loving fellowship of believers, which is the desire of Christ for His Bride, The Church.
Seems simple but when we move in our flesh there is a need for the command, not just about eating and partaking properly, but this is only accomplished with hearts of love…loving one another as we wait for and, defer to, one another.
Only Jesus can give you the latter and that’s why all the “one anothers” of love and loving are found only in Him!
As we continue with the “one anothers” in Scripture I need to remind myself and if needed you will receive this reminder…the “one anothers” are included in Scripture to literally help us love others as we love ourselves (Mark 12:31)…and as Christ has loved us (John 14:15).
However as we spent time sharing previously in these posts we can do neither without first knowing and learning to love God with all we are (Mark 12:29-30) as we prayerfully attempt to do through better knowing His Names. Then we must learn to love who we are in Christ (Ephesians 2:10) as we find our Identity in Christ.
Food for Thought… What guides and drives your heart, mind and body (flesh, hunger, lust, selfish desires)…OR humility, graciousness, gratitude, generosity, others above self? The former is always done in the flesh and the latter can only be done in The Spirit!
Love in Action –
- Spend time with Him in His Word and prayer daily – read and study the Scriptures in this post as a way to start
- Ask The Holy Spirit to teach you
- What is your motive, impetus and focus when it comes to sharing time and breaking bread with others?
- What does your focus…and words and actions…reveal about where you are in Christ?
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Love and Lordship Prayer Focus…Heavenly Father, help me to understand that living out these one anothers always and must begin with my relationship with and love for You. Only as I grow in that relationship by grace through faith in Christ can I ever truly hope to wait patiently for others as I place them above myself. Thank You for forgiving me and making this possible in the salvation I have in Christ. In His Name. Amen.