The Lords Cup
Have you wondered why, when communion is given, the Ministers always ask those, that are about to take it, to examine themselves, to assure that they be worthy? Well according to scripture, there is a curse on those that are found unworthy by God.
Paul explains in 1Co 11:23-32, Lets read a little. “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you (rules for communion.), That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.”(Verses 24 thru 26 states the symbolism of the act of communion.)
In verse 27 we see the reason for self examination before taking communion. ” Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily(Lacking Value or Merit, unsuitable, unworthy, morally reprehensible, hypocrite.) shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.”
The unworthy shall be called upon to give account of their inconsistency’s in the Gospel and in the Lord. Jesus knows whom is worthy, whom have been faithful to Him and the cause of the Gospel. Those that have erred from the faith and are putting on a show of outward righteousness will be condemned in their actions.
As Jesus had told the Pharisees, we must first clean the inside before we clean the outside, for by cleaning ones spirit all else shall become clean. There are two different spirits that are with man, the Spirit 0f Truth and the Spirit of error. The unworthy are filled with the Spirit of Error.
The Spirit of Error is the spirit of, lack of true knowledge in the word, not understanding the word as written and living a life style that is inappropriate to the characteristics of Christianity.
1Co 11:28 But let a man examine himself, ( After examination, if a man feels that he has fallen short of Christs expectations, he may do one of two things.
1. Refuse the Communion. (Only for the time it takes that man to redeem himself before God.) or
2. Pray for forgiveness of his short fall and resume the communion. and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.(After reconciliation with God the man may eat and drink the communion.)
We are not to condemn ourselves, having the spirit of error, but only find our shortcomings and repair them. Salvation is an on going process, and will remain so until the man dies or Christ returns.
1Co 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation ( This is evidently a figurative expression, meaning that by eating and drinking improperly he incurs condemnation; which is here expressed by eating and drinking condemnation itself. For a man to declare that he is worthy and being unworthy, condemns himself.
The word “damnation” we now apply, exclusively to the future and final punishment of the lost in hell. But the word used here does not necessarily refer to that. It is a general meaning of condemning ones self, not discerning (Not having keen insight and nor showing Good judgment. Not Being able to perceive and understand.) the Lord’s body.
In Romans 8:1, we see the life style that must be lived in order, not to be condemned, in taking the communion. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
If we are walking after the spirit, that is living as Christ instructed us, we will not be controlled by the lust of the flesh, but rather be living in the spiritual world of God.
We as Christians, after salvation occurs, are transported, spiritually from, the kingdom of darkness (The world and its values.) , to the Kingdom of Light. The Kingdom of Christ. Remember, That which is flesh is flesh and that which is spirit is spirit.
In Romans 13:2 , we see ; “Whosoever therefore resisteth the power(This Power is God and His word.), resisteth the ordinance (Law,Regulation,command, decree.) of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.(condemnation)”
Wesley States about this verse;
“Whosoever resisteth the power – In any other manner than the laws of the community direct. Shall receive condemnation – Not only from the magistrate (The administrator of the Communion,Preacher.), but from God also.”
We are not to enter into self-condemnation but rather to reprove ourselves and submit to the will of God.
1Co 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly(bodily sickness and disease ) among you, and many sleep (are being lulled in death: not a violent death; but one the result of sickness, sent as the Lord’s chastening for the individual’s salvation, the mind being brought to a right state on the sick bed ). The Bible clearly states that it is better that the flesh be destroyed that the soul shall be saved.
Which is better, Living for 70 years in the flesh or living eternally in Heaven?
1Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. If we look into ourselves to judge our worthiness, we will have no need for others to show us our faults neither judge us.
1Co 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
Here we see that it is better to suffer under the chastisement of God than to be condemned with the world with its unrighteousness.
Those that are saved and still have unfruitful actions or characteristics in their lives taking communion, will not loose their salvation but will be punished by God for their inconsistencies. ars
Tempel of Spirit & Truth Ministries http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/
