How should the body of Christ prepare herself to come to the sacrament of Communion? You may not even be thinking of preparation or maybe you do not consider it until during the service right before the taking of the elements. But this is an important matter to consider as the apostle Paul exhorts us, “Let each person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” How do you prepare to come to the Lord ’s Table.?
The sacrament of Communion is a place of recognition of sin and grace. The Scripture tells us we have sin and to deny it is to lie to ourselves and God. Yet, in the midst of this reality the Scripture promises us God will forgive us of sin we confess. The Father has given us his Word and Spirit to keep us from sin but if we do sin he has provided us with a righteous advocate, Jesus Christ. Therefore, self examination in the context of the grace of God in Jesus Christ is necessary as we come to Communion. Self examination is to take stock of one’s self in the light of God’s Word. The Psalmist prays in this way, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” Self examination is taking stock of our hearts where sin can be revealed to us through a process of asking questions of one’s self. In asking these questions the Holy Spirit can reveal to us where we are in sin and lead us to repentance where God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us. And the assurance of his faithfulness is in the Word and the sights and smells and communion at the Table of the Lord. In preparation ask yourself, Am I aware of:
1. A heart of pride – an exalted sense of self due to success, a position, gifts, abilities, appearance or intellect; an independent and self important spirit.
2. A heart for glory – a desire to be noticed and approved by men; a desire for being exalted through conversation in the presence of others; a desire for being heard among people.
3. A heart of anger – impatience with people and their thoughts and opinions; touchy and reactionary around family; resentful of those who contradict or disapprove of you; a slanderous tongue justified by “holy indignation”; not overlooking an offense.
4. A heart of self will – being unteachable; being argumentative and sarcastic; unyielding and headstrong commanding of others; criticizing thoughts and words.
5. A heart of fear – shrinking back from responsibility and criticism; giving reasons why I should not bear my cross; not speaking the truth in love; showing favoritism; being compromising; fearing man rather than God.
6. A heart of deceitfulness – being dishonest with words, thoughts, and actions; covering the truth; leaving a better impression of myself than is true; exaggerating or stretching the truth for effect.
7. A heart of unbelief – being discouraged and depressed in times of pressure and opposition; not trusting God; anxiety, worry and complaining in God’s providence; turning to the world to satisfy and quiet my soul rather than God.
8. A heart for ease – living toward prosperity, peace and ease.
9. A heart of lukewarmness – lack of love toward God with my mind, soul and heart; dryness and indifference to the things of God; form of godliness but denying it’s power; lack of concern for the saints or the lost.
10. A heart of covetousness – a desire for those things that do not belong to you.
Through these questions we can ask God to examine our hearts so that we are able to confess known and hidden sins of the heart to him and find forgiveness by his grace. At the cross of Jesus Christ we humble ourselves washing our hands and our hearts being sorrowful for sin and finding grace to meet us in our well timed need of help. Prepare to participate in worship around God’s Word and Sacraments through self examination in the context of the grace of God in Jesus Christ and come with thanksgiving in your hearts.
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