Do not partake in Communion unworthily

11-18-19
Today’s devotion is based on I Corinthians 11:27-30. “So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.”

The question that needs to be answered here is what does Paul mean when he writes that taking communion in an unworthy manner is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. It cannot mean that a person taking communion has to be worthy of receiving communion for no one is worthy. We are all sinners and don’t deserve God’s grace. So that cannot be what Paul is saying.

What he is saying here is that we to take communion believing what God’s Word says it is, the body and blood of Christ. It is not just a meal where you get a bit of wine and a wafer. You might be thinking, “How can that be? It makes no sense.” It is important to remember that we don’t have to understand how that can be. We only have to believe that what the Bible says is true, for they are the words of Jesus.
Please pray with me the prayer for today: Heavenly Father, creator, and sustainer of all things seen and unseen guide me in the Spirit of truth so that even though I do not understand how the bread and wine can be the body and blood of Christ I believe it because you said it is your body and blood. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
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