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Introduction
We can approach the Lord’s table with confusion. On the one hand, the Apostle Paul warns that some in the Corinthian church have died (11:30/" rel="nofollow">1 Corinthians 11:30). On the other hand, one of our communion forms warmly invites all repentant sinners to the table. “But all who repent and believe are invited to this sacred meal, not because you are worthy in yourself, but because you are clothed in Christ’s perfect righteousness. Do not allow the weakness of your faith or your failures in the Christian life to keep you from this Table. For it is given to us because of our weakness and because of our failures, in order to increase our faith by feeding us with the body and blood of Jesus Christ. As the Word has promised us God’s favor, so also our heavenly Father has added this confirmation of His unchangeable promise. So come, believing sinners, for the Table is ready. ‘Taste and see that the Lord is good!’” (Forms and Prayers: Form 1 Shorter Form)
This raises a serious question: How do we engage in honest self-examination (11:28" rel="nofollow">1 Corinthians 11:28) without falling into morbid despair, self-righteous pride, or a complete disregard for putting off sin?
Christ's One-Time Action
We need to start with the foundation for the Lord’s Supper. The Lord's Supper rests entirely upon the finished, completed work of Jesus Christ. The Heidelberg Catechism (question and answer 80) makes explicit that Christ’s work never needs to be repeated. We do not believe that the Lord’s Supper is a continuation or a repeat of Christ’s work. The Lord’s Supper testifies that Jesus paid the full penalty for our sins. His work is complete (19:30" rel="nofollow">John 19:30). If he has not completed his work, and has not been vindicated in his resurrection, then we are still in our sins (15:17" rel="nofollow">1 Corinthians 15:17, 1:3" rel="nofollow">Romans 1:3,4).
In 1 Corinthians 11, the Apostle Paul is citing Christ’s words of institution. Paul recounts the night that Christ was betrayed. Paul wants us to see that Christ’s one-time sacrifice is sufficient to redeem us. We come to the Lord’s table as his forgiven children. We come to the table as the Lord’s children communing with him.
Our Examination
True Christian self-examination is not an exercise in self-loathing or proving our worthiness to come to the table. Our Christian self-examination is our evaluation of our faith. In our catechism, question and answer 81, believers are called to recognize their sin, repent of anything that sins against Christ, and look exclusively to him for cleansing and strength. We want to make sure our faith rests in Christ and that we live out of gratitude in his power.
This examination asks simple questions of our heart: Do I truly believe in Jesus? Do I rely on his righteousness? Do I genuinely desire to turn from sin and be conformed to my Savior? In fact, the Apostle Paul confesses that he passes this test (13:6/" rel="nofollow">2 Corinthians 13:6). The Corinthian church is not examining whether it passes the test. They assume they are doing well despite the sin and division in their congregation.
The Church's Exclusion
There are times when the church has a responsibility for church discipline and exclusion. Paul tells the Corinthian church to put the immoral brother out of the church so Satan can destroy his flesh and his spirit may be saved (5:5" rel="nofollow">1 Corinthians 5:5).
Paul is addressing public sins in the Corinthian church. The church has not dealt with the public issues. Paul is not inviting the congregation to gossip or shame the person, but to seek the goal of the sinner’s restoration. The problem is the church has not dealt with its internal problems.
If we test the quality of our faith and see that it holds Christ, then we will see where we need to conform to him. If we start by testing our faith, then our private struggle does not plague the church with public disgrace. When we examine ourselves, we do so in Christ, who is our perfect and complete priest. There is nothing that we will discover in ourselves that will shock God. Yes, we put off sin, we grow in grace, and we continue to enjoy our communion with God.
Conclusion
The Lord's Supper is a glorious feast of grace designed to nourish our souls. As we come together around the table, we do not come as spiritual elites boasting in our achievements. We come as unworthy people made entirely worthy in Jesus Christ. Through the elements of bread and wine, the Holy Spirit feeds our souls, strengthens our faith, and deepens our joy, uniting us more to our Savior and to one another.
As we examine ourselves, may we not do so in terror, but in the reverence of knowing that our God has redeemed us. Christ Jesus has made us his own.
