One thing I realized is the importance of examining our hearts, actions, relationships, and lastly our lives from time to time. By evaluating our hearts, we can see if what we are doing is bringing glory to GOD. In realization of our sins, we are reminded that we need a Savior and we cannot do it on our own. Grace then is fallen into place to show us why we believe in the Gospel and how important it is. Secondly, evaluating our hearts before partaking in communion is soooo sooo important. If our hearts are so cluttered with distractions or hindrances that draw us away from the cross, then it would be a sin to take communion as Christians.
1 Corinthians 11:17-34 (English Standard Version)
The Lord’s Supper
17But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18For, in the first place, when you come together as a church,(A) I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part,[a] 19for(B) there must be factions among you in order(C) that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 20When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. 21For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry,(D) another gets drunk. 22What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise(E) the church of God and(F) humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.
23For(G) I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that(H) the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for[b] you. Do this in remembrance of me."[c] 25In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death(I) until he comes.
27(J) Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord(K) in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning(L) the body and blood of the Lord. 28(M) Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some(N) have died.[d] 31(O) But if we judged[e] ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32But when we are judged by the Lord,(P) we are disciplined[f] so that we may not be(Q) condemned along with the world.
33So then, my brothers,[g] when you come together to eat, wait for[h] one another— 34(R) if anyone is hungry,(S) let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things(T) I will give directions(U) when I come.
Let us be reminded of the GLORIES OF CALVARY! The GLORIES OF THE GOSPEL! ALL GLORY GOES TO GOD!
So why is the GOSPEL SOO IMPORTANT?
Here is a quote from C.J. Mahaney's Living the Cross Centered Life "We never move on from the cross, only into a more profound understanding of the cross. The cross and its meaning aren't something we ever master."
We can NEVER fully understand this amazing grace of our loving Father. This is because we are sinful beings and we are incapable of saving ourselves. It is really easy to just know the Gospel and to graduate from Jesus and move onto Paul. To better summarize it: John 3:16 (English Standard Version)
For God So Loved the World
16"For(A) God so loved(B) the world,[a](C) that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not(D) perish but have eternal life.
Hearing the Gospel over and over again should compel us to fall more and more in love with our creator and maker of heaven and earth. For God SOOO LOVED THE WORLD that He GAVE HIS ONLY SON, that whoever believes in HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BY HAVE ETERNAL LIFE!!!
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