1 Corinthians 10: Do not be deceived!

Verse 17: "Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf."

◇ Paul is alerting the saints that not everyone who eats and drinks the body and blood of Christ is saved. 

The people of Israel followed Moses out of Egypt. They all crossed the Red Sea together, and in the wilderness, they all ate manna and quails. They all felt they were under God's protection and guidance, and they all considered themselves God's people. 

However, among them were those who perished in the wilderness. God showed that those who perform evil deeds that do not please him, even though they crossed the same Red Sea, ate the same manna and quails, and received God's grace, will perish. The evil deeds that Paul cites as examples in 1 Corinthians 10 are idolatry, sexual immorality, and testing God. He compares the evil deeds of the pagans infiltrating the Corinthian church with the evil deeds of the people in the wilderness. He warns that you too can perish like them, so be careful.

Not everyone who eats the body of the one Christ is a saved child of God. Not everyone who drinks the blood of the one Christ is God's people. "We all eat and drink the same body and blood of Christ, so we are all God's people!" Get out of this misconception.

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! (1 Corinthians 10:12)

♧ God, keep us from deception! Help us live a life that pleases you! Holy Spirit, lead us in truth!