Healthy self-examination!
Scripture reading for August 15th: 1st Corinthians 11, Psalm 12, Proverbs 7
1st Corinthians 11: 27-32 “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.”
The receiving of the Lord’s supper is to be an intimate time of fellowship with the Lord and healthy self-examination. This sacred meal consists of bread representing the sinless body of Jesus Christ and wine or grape juice representing Christ’s blood shed for our sins. We are to discern through His sacrifice for us our own sins and ask our Lord for mercy and cleansing. Some Corinthians were taking this meal with a frivolous and prideful attitude. This resulted in some falling to sickness and even some dying because of unconfessed sins. God’s desire is for us to judge ourselves so that we do not need God to judge us because of Christ’s sacrifice covering our sins. These are pure Words, given to refine us for His service!
Psalm 12:7-8 “The Words of the Lord are pure Words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. You, O Lord, will keep them; You will guard us from this generation forever. On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the Lord’s Supper and the opportunity to remember Jesus’ death on the cross for us and the forgiveness of our sins and healing of our bodies. Forgive me when I have taken this supper without a healthy self-examination. Give me fresh insight into Christ’s sacrifice and His current Body, the Church. Help me to forgive others as I have been forgiven and to walk in health.
Proverbs 7:4-5 “Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend, to keep you from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words.”
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