EXAMINING RELATIONSHIPS. By Pastor Fernando

Scripture:
...You should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking from the cup. for if you eat the bread or drink the cup unworthily, not honoring the body of Christ, you are drinking and eating God’s judgment upon yourself. 1 Corinthians 11:28-29

Observation:
The purpose of breaking bread and drinking the cup was to maintain a strong bond of unity within the body of Christ. That’s why the word “communion” was used as the people of God get together to remember the price Christ paid. The sacrifice of Jesus at the cross brings people together in a common union of harmony, sincere love, and respect. Every time that such communion is broken, intentionally or unintentionally, the members of the body become defiled and unworthy. Neither Jesus nor Paul intended to make the breaking of bread and the drinking of the cup a religious practice. They wanted it to be an opportunity to examine our relationships, to strengthen the bond of unity that our flesh makes so fragile, to restore severed relationships, and to bring honor to God in such a way.

Application:
I often find disturbing how many people take communion lightly. Many of us come to celebrate communion offended, or right after offending others. We eat the bread, we drink the cup, and we never stop to examine our relationships, just like Paul instructed us. Sometimes we celebrate communion when there is no common union with others in the body. Healthy and loving relationships is what makes the body of Christ, the church, completely unique. The bond of unity that the cross provides shouldn’t be taken for granted. Our flesh will always come along to sabotage our unity as brothers and sisters. Our fears, our insecurities, our bad habits, our poor people skills, and our sinful nature in general will continue attacking the unity that Christ paid for at the cross with His precious life. That’s why as we examine ourselves and our relationships, we honor Christ and His sacrifice as we receive and give forgiveness, as we restore relationships, and as we commit once again to be ONE harmonious body before the Lord.

Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, please forgive me for the many times I have come to the Lord’s Table unprepared, unworthy, and with grudges towards a brother or sister in your body. Please make me aware of the dynamic purpose of coming together to examine our relationships and to restore anything our sinful nature has destroyed. Let us honor your sacrifice by the way we love each other. Amen!