Quote:
Originally Posted by chette777
Check out 1Cor 11:27-34 and see what happens to those who partake the lords supper in an unworthy manner-they are instructed to judge themselves before taking it. because of unconvicted and unconfessed sin many were weak, sick and sleeping (dead).
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First of all let me say that it is always good advice for us to be told to examine ourselves. But how many of us confess our sins daily? Or even better, as they happen? I always have a good belly laugh every time I hear a brother talk about how he hasn't sinned in a month. Hahahaha, that's a great one. I say take a look in the mirror brother, God's Word says you're fibbing:
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If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
John 1
King James Bible
Here's a perfect example of my pet peeve or bugaboo. Taking a verse out of context to promote a tradition. Let's examine the verse in context:
17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. 19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. 20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. 21
For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. 22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God,
and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 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. 25 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. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
27 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. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
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Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. 34
And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.
Please take note of the above highlighted verses. Paul was not condemning them for not examining themselves with a fine tooth comb before coming to church. He was condemning for being selfish GLUTTONS at the Lord's table. Now please note that they were partaking of a REAL meal and drinking REAL wine, not grape juice and crackers.
Some people were getting drunk on the wine because they had no meat to go with it, and others who were poor were ashamed because they were hungry, and there was nothing left for them to eat because the big fat SELFISH gluttons had hogged it all up!
So here you have quite a picture. Believers coming together to remember the most selfless act in the universe, the Godman Jesus allowing his body to be broken and his blood to be poured out to save all mankind from a fate worse than any of us can imagine. And how do they signify it? By being selfish greedy gluttons who care nothing for others except for their own belly. Can you blame God for judging them?
So next time you are trembling in a wooden pew, worried about possible sins that you've committed, waiting for them to come by with grape juice and crackers, think about the real MEANING of this verse. Don't be a selfish glutton and put your needs above the needs of the needs of others. Think of other people first, especially the less fortunate:
17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children,
let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
Walk in love my brothers