CD - The Salutary Use of the Lord’s Supper? - 1 Cor. 10:17

The Sacrament of the Altar is a gift from God to His people. His people are those who have faith in His Son, Christ Jesus. His people are those who repent and believe that their sins are forgiven. His people are those who worship in divine service and serve Him alone as their God and Lord.

The Sacrament of the Altar is given to those who come in repentance and to be reconciled with God and with others. As one approaches the table they do so in a manner which shows forth that they believe that in this meal they will be given God’s forgiveness and they are ready, willing and able, with God’s help to share that forgiveness with others.

The Sacrament of the Altar is given to those who have been instructed in its proper use. It is given to those who understand what they are doing, that is that they are partaking of Christ’ body and blood, in, with and under the bread and wine, for the forgiveness of sins. It is given to those who are able to examine themselves before coming to be given these gifts.

The Sacrament of the Altar is also given to those who confess a unity of faith. This confession of faith is one of the most misunderstood and difficult things to understand about this Sacrament. We can understand why the ungodly, unbelieving and unrepentant are not allowed at the table. We can understand why the unforgiving are not at the table. We can understand why the unconscious are not invited to the table. We have some problem with understanding why those not properly instructed and why those of another confession are not invited to the table. Unfortunately, a lot of our misunderstanding comes from confusing the thoughts and ways of society with the thoughts and ways of God. Society says we are to let everyone do what they want. God says we are to come together as like minded people. Certainly the pastor cannot read everyone’s heart, but by coming to that table we all confess one faith. If we come to one table making one confession, then attend another table making another confession, we have confused our confession and we have lied to one people or another. The pastor, then, is left to the confession of the person attending the table for which he is responsible.

Thus, as we approach the Lord’s Table to partake of His gifts we will want to do so keeping in mind that we come in faith; that we come in repentance and forgiving others; that we come after being properly instructed and having examined ourselves and that we come confessing the faith in which we were instructed and in which we believe. We come, not demanding that this is something that this church, this pastor, or that God owes to us, but we come to be given the gifts that God has to give and to be given them in the way in which He has to give them. We come with thankful hearts, praising God for His good gifts and blessings.

Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me especially when I approach Your table in a manner that is unworthy of my coming to Your table. Help me remember to come to Your table with a mind of faith, forgiveness, and trust after having been instructed in your Word and after examining myself. And Lord, thank You for Your gifts given to me through Your gifts of Your body and blood. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.