Examine Yourselves That is why Paul calls upon the Corinthians to examine themselves, to see if


they really are in the Lord, or if they have only been playing at being Christians. Did they simply view this as a ritual snack, some bread, some wine, and some words? If so, then as he points out, they did not discern the Lord’s Body in the meal, they did not understand the importance to them of what the bread and wine symbolized and they did not rightly partake of communion. IF that was the case, then as Paul started out saying in verse 1 Cor. 11:17


they were literally . Each time they came they cursed themselves, calling the chastening of the Lord down upon themselves. We need to remember that there is not a single means of grace that is neutral,


 a blessing, if taken in faith, or a curse. Even the Word as it is preached either calls and builds up those who receive it with faith, or hardens and curses those who deny it. Your baptism is a blessing to you if by faith you have the spiritual  time your baptism will stand against you in the judgment. Paul says that because the Corinthians had been profaning the supper, the


Lord had chastened them with illness and even in some cases with death. Therefore, they ought to be examine themselves, to spiritually discern wheth- er they are in the Lord:


2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the


faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?  Paul is asking them, “What are you and What ought you to be? How do they match


up? Are you in the Lord?” Among many of the Corinthians there was no self- examination and as a result the Lord was judging them. But even that judging in their midst was designed to wake them up; it was the father’s love to turn them from their course. Finally, Paul concludes they must stop their current practice, they must es- teem others more highly than themselves, and they must wait for the other members of the body to arrive before eating, even the poor ones. This is the Lord’s Table, if you are too hungry to wait, eat at home, but don’t profane Christ’s table. There were other problems in their administration of the supper,  could not wait.


While one could make many applications of these verses, I believe the critical application is summed up in the words,  .


I hope you have done that self-examination, and will continue to do it. It is not perfect faith or perfect repentance that is required by the Lord or even abso- lute sinlessness of conduct. Remember always that the only sinless celebrant of the Lord’s Supper was the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. But while this meal is for sinners, it is only for sinners saved by grace. It is for people who love the Lord and have been incorporated into His body, the Church. So, before you come to the Lord’s table examine yourself in regard to the most basic things; are you a believer? Do you love Christ? Do you love the people of the Lord?


Rev. Andy Webb is the pastor of Providence ARP Church in Fayetteville, NC. 28 The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Remember


always that the only sinless celebrant of The Lord’s


Supper was the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.


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