Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
Most people who go to work will eventually have a performance review by their supervisor. The purpose of the review is to make sure that any area that needs growth in their work performance can be addressed. This experience can be viewed through many lens. If we see this examination as an opportunity to improve, it can be a great exercise. On the other hand, we can view it as an intrusion in our lives and demanding something from us we do not want to do or address. It would be hard pressed to see who originated the idea of a performance review. It probably dates back centuries. Yet, in the above passage we read from the pen of Paul we read that God demands a self-performance review as we partake of the Lord’s Table (Communion). Paul is telling the church that they ought not come to the Lord’s Table without examining their walk with Christ. We are not to partake of the elements of the Table in a known unworthy manner. His reasoning for this approach to the Table is based upon the purpose of the Communion observation. We come to the Table and drink the wine and eat the bread because Jesus paid for our sin on the cross. He shed his blood (symbolized by the wine) and had his body destroyed (symbolized by the bread) for our sins. Therefore, to come to the Communion service not accepting His payment or with unconfessed sin in our lives, is to come to the table in an unworthy manner. Jesus died for us so we can live in His power and defeat sin in our lives. Judgment on our sin was taken care of on the cross in Jesus death. To eat from the Table in an unworthy manner is to bring judgment on ourselves and miss out on the fact that Jesus took our judgment. Living in this manner is why many people in the church were sick and even dying. God does not overlook rebellion or an unrepentant heart. We can’t take fellowship with him lightly. God is going to judge mankind through His Son, Jesus. If were come to Him in praise and adoration (at the Table) we can rejoice in His payment for sin. But if someone refuses to believe in His payment for sin they are actually taking the bread and wine and drinking to their own damnation. God demands a performance review. But the performance review is to review what Jesus did for us. We are to honor His perfect performance for us on the cross in payment for our sins.
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