It is worth receiving the Lord’s Supper frequently:
so that we examine ourselves.
How often do you consciously scrutinize your situation or your behavior? – We would probably all agree: that is a good thing to have to do every so often.
The celebration of Holy Communion is such an opportunity for you. Each communicant knows the Lord’s command: “A person ought to examine himself before eating the bread and drinking the cup” (1 Corinthians 11:28). We’ve also learned what it means to examine ourselves.
Before we ever receive the Lord’s Supper – and frequently thereafter – we ask ourselves: 1. Am I a sinner? (because this meal is not for perfect people) 2. Do I trust Jesus for forgiveness? (because Holy Communion is not for those who deny Him) 3. Do I recognize that here I receive Christ’s actual body and his true blood? (because this meal is not for those who cannot maturely confess his real presence) and we might add 4. Does this church teach what I believe and do I believe what this church teaches? (such that we may confess the totality of God’s true Word wholeheartedly together in Holy Communion)
If each of the above criteria applies to you, we’ll see you at the Lord’s Supper once again sometime soon!
A man ought to examine himself.
1 Corinthians 11:28