How can we "examine himself" before participating in the Lord's Supper today? Setting the Context “Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” (1 Corinthians 11:28) Paul wrote these words because some in Corinth treated the Lord’s Table lightly, bringing judgment on themselves (vv. 29–32). Examination remains essential for every believer who approaches the Supper today. Why Examination Matters • Protects us from partaking “in an unworthy manner” (v. 27). • Honors the holiness of Christ’s sacrifice (Hebrews 10:19–22). • Preserves unity in the body (1 Corinthians 11:17–22). • Opens the door to renewed fellowship and joy (Psalm 32:1–2). What to Examine 1. Your faith • “Test yourselves to see whether you are in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5). • Confirm you are trusting Christ alone—His body given, His blood shed—for salvation. 2. Your motives • Are you coming to remember Him (Luke 22:19) or merely following routine? • Ask: Am I seeking personal recognition, or Christ’s glory? (Colossians 3:17). 3. Your relationships • “If your brother has something against you… first be reconciled” (Matthew 5:23–24). • Harboring bitterness contradicts the unity symbolized by one loaf (1 Corinthians 10:17). 4. Your obedience • Ongoing, willful sin dulls spiritual sensitivity (Hebrews 3:12–13). • Look for areas where confession and repentance are needed (1 John 1:9). 5. Your dependence on the Spirit • Evidence of His fruit—love, joy, peace… (Galatians 5:22–23). • Examination is not self-reliance but Spirit-led honesty (Psalm 139:23–24). Practical Steps for Today • Set aside unhurried time before the service. • Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-32 prayerfully, inviting the Spirit’s scrutiny. • Use a simple checklist: Faith—Motives—Relationships—Obedience—Dependence. • Confess specific sins immediately; claim the cleansing promised in 1 John 1:9. • If reconciliation is needed, plan concrete action (call, visit, message) before next Communion. • Approach the Table with gratitude and reverence, remembering, “Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7). Encouragement and Assurance Examination is not meant to drive you away but to draw you nearer. “If we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged” (1 Corinthians 11:31). Honest self-assessment leads to forgiveness, restored fellowship, and a richer experience of the Lord’s Supper—celebrating the grace that makes us worthy in Him. |
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