Worthily or Unworthily?
- Bishop Keith Butler
- Jun 13, 2023
- 2 min read
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. (1 Corinthians 11:27-31)
What does it mean to take communion unworthily? It means to take it without examining ourselves and our hearts first. It means to take it in a way that does not honor the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross. It means to take it without truly understanding and appreciating what it represents.
Paul reminded us that many in the church at Corinth were weak, sickly, and even died early because they took communion unworthily. That doesn’t mean that sickness and death are always a result of taking communion in an unworthy manner, but when people take communion unworthily, they open themselves to the curse. So, how can we ensure we are taking communion worthily?
First and foremost, we must examine ourselves. This means taking a moment to reflect on our thoughts, actions, and attitudes, and confessing any sin or wrongdoing to God.
Also, it means coming to the Lord's table with a humble heart, ready to receive His grace and forgiveness.
Third, we must recognize the significance of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and acknowledge that His body was broken and His blood was shed for us. It means honoring Him with our hearts and our lives, and living in a way that reflects His love and grace.
Finally, we remember that our actions as believers have consequences. While salvation is a gift, it does not mean that we can live however we want, facing no consequences. We must live in a way that honors God and reflects His love and grace to those around us.
Practical Application
Remember to examine yourself before partaking in the Lord's Supper and honor Jesus’ sacrifice for your sins.
