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Communion or partaking of the Lord’s Table is an act we
often separate from reality. We tend to “do
the act” while disconnecting what that act represents in our lives. I know
that I have been very sincere during times of communion, but in my sincerity I
was acting in a ungodly manner. Like
many of us I have often fallen into the trap that “if I think I am ok”, then I
am ok. This “I am OK” is often the result
of some comparison with others or my past self.
At some moment I can feel good or bad about myself because of how I
compare myself at that moment to myself at another moment in my life, or to my
view of others.
When we partake to the Lord’s cup we are to be aware of
the manner, the custom, the methods we use in doing so. Often people do what I tend to do- get
serious. But getting serious is not even close to what we are called to
do. We are to get friendly, loving,
kind, joyful, thankful, and grateful. And
these emotions and mindsets are not just about the self, but the community of
the body of Christ. When was the last
time we celebrate others, rejoiced over the triumph of another, and gave what
we wanted away so that another might have more?
In Lev. 10 we have the story of making “strange fire”
before the Lord. In a simple and honest
reflection on what occurred in that event, men made fire for God that He did
not command. We live in a time when we
seldom wait on God to command. We are a
very presumptuous people, but we call it fervent, passion and not pride and impatient. This carries over to our Communion as we
often judge others for all the NOTS we see in their lives. They may NOT pray enough, give enough, have enough
passion or raise their family correctly.
When it comes to the ritual of communion they may not sing the right
song, say the right words, dispose of the plastic cup correctly or be too busy
on their cell phone or tablet to be in fellowship with God.
The result of this manner of taking communion is that
many of us are under judgment from God. The
people of God are sick, weak and slumbering in our spiritual lives, and it is
the Lord’s gift to us for our lives lived out in His presence. The amazing thing to me is that this judgment
is a gift from God to keep us from a greater judgment later. We live in a time when not many of us are
wise, not many of us have understanding, not many of us are fathers with a
heart of a Father who love others as much as he loves himself. We are filled with critical spirits, judgments,
comparison. This happened both toward
others and ourselves as we are always driven along to offer things to God, many
of which he is not asking for. Our
longing to be significant compels us to build a fire for God that He has not commanded. Yet this “fire” is what we need to prove we
are worthy, on track, intent.
Join me approaching the judgment seat of Christ. Sure there is mercy, that’s why we want to
run to the judgment seat. Let’s call on
God to help us mature beyond passionate, fervent man-made offerings and become
so content with Him that we are patient, kind, longsuffering, peaceful and able
to enter His rest. The next time we take
communion lets seek to love others and ourselves with all our hearts. In that moment join me in seeking to not
focus on the Lord, but on the manner in which we are living out. Maybe when we life the cup we can have a “here’s
to you brother” resounding within us. When
we break the bread we can be more thankful that our sins are covered and not
just mine. In one of the most personal
moments we have Christianity the Lord whispers in our ears through scripture
and through the Spirit, this isn’t all about you! God is not looking so much at what fire we
are offering. He is looking to see how
we are honoring the fire of others.
1Co 11:27-32 NASB
(27) Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks
the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the
blood of the Lord.
(28) But a man must examine himself, and in so
doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
(29) For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks
judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly.
(30) For this reason many among you are weak and
sick, and a number sleep.
(31) But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would
not be judged.
(32) But when we are judged, we are disciplined by
the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.
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