2002-01-01
Good Morning Faithful Readers,
I felt like God barely got me started on the subject of sacraments yesterday when I realized there simply wasn’t space to finish. So, that is why I want to continue discussing our regular taking of the sacraments as an important part of our actively keeping our covenant agreements. You probably noticed that in citing 1 COR 15, I began at verse 3 and went all the way to verse 8, instead of stopping at verse 4 with its last phrase, “that He was buried and that He was raised to life three days later…” There is an important reason for this. For others who didn’t observe this actually happening, there must be something present to make it believable to the person struggling to believe it. That Christ actually appeared to the series of witnesses mentioned in verses 5-8 supplies that. If we examine who these witnesses are, they are former traditional Jews, including a skeptic (Thomas), who had no ulterior motive to remain faithful after Christ’s crucifixion. Remember that when Christ was speaking about His own coming death, they didn’t understand [LK 18: 31-34]. The concept of death and burial followed by resurrection three days later was unheard of-new uncharted territory.
Now, let’s return to 1 COR 11: 18-32 to see what truths it reveals about taking the sacraments. We’ve already seen in verses 23-26 the familiar words of institution that are spoken by the pastor just before we take the sacraments in church. But, of course there is a lot more. Some churches believe in transubstantiation, that the bread and wine are actually supernaturally converted to the body and blood of Christ. However, if we look at the actual words in this passage, we are told to take the bread and wine “in memory of Me.” Like Les Feldick, I’m a stickler for paying attention to the exact words in the Scriptures, even to the point of sometimes looking them up in their original language to be sure I understand the meaning. I believe it is the Holy Spirit that prompts us all to do this when there is a question. It is also why I encourage all of us to use more than one version of the Bible in studying God’s word. After all, English is a very imprecise language when compared to Greek or Hebrew, for example. Thus, I leave you to approach the Lord in prayer for direction on the matter of transubstantiation.
The historical context of Paul’s message to the Corinthians on this subject helps to reveal God’s will concerning the taking of communion. Paul writes in 1 COR 11: 18-21, “In the fist place, I have been told that there are opposing groups in your meetings; and this I believe is partly true. (No doubt there must be divisions among you so that the ones who are in the right may be clearly seen.) When you meet together as a group, it is not the Lord’s Supper that you eat. For as you eat, each one goes ahead with his own meal, so that some are hungry whiles others get drunk.” What a spiritual predicament this reveals! Paul is clearly prompted by God to find this objectionable. Remember, God wants the Body of Christ to be unified and edified. This situation does none of that. Any kind of excess like getting drunk is repugnant to God, which allows us to see just how far the church at Corinth had strayed from the Lord’s teaching. In view of the fact that taking the sacraments is so crucial to our spiritual well-being and the forwarding of God’s agenda for mankind, this is even more serious problem. The real meaning of the sacrament had been forgotten.
1 COR 11: 27-32 elaborates on the consequences that come from an apostate approach to the taking of communion. “It follows that if anyone eats the Lord’s bread or drinks from His cup in a way that dishonors Him, he is guilty of sin against the Lord’s body and blood. So then, everyone should examine himself first, and then eat the bread and drink from the cup. For if he does not recognize the meaning of the Lord’s body when he eats bread and drinks from the cup, he brings judgment on himself as he eats and drinks. That is why many of you are sick and weak, and several have died. If we would examine ourselves first, we would not come under God’s judgment. But we are judged and punished by the Lord, so that we shall not be condemned together with the world.” The last verse in this passage demonstrates God’s compassion. If He didn’t have it, people taking the sacrament improperly without examining themselves would be judged with the world. Instead, we are given direction on how to take communion in a way which pleases God, and we are told what it’s real meaning is. Has there ever been a more pressing reason to study the Scriptures? I think not! Our understanding of this all-important facet of keeping our covenant agreement with God is the intersection of studying the Scriptures to allow the Holy Spirit to impart to us its real meaning with powerfully important prayer that begins when we examine ourselves prior to the act and during the act when we appeal to God to grant us continuing forgiveness. While God has already forgiven our past sin, we need to let Him know that we acknowledge our need for His presence and leadership in dealing with our present and future lives. When we seek Him out knowing His sovereign power over us, God hears all of our prayers.
PRAYER: O Lord, because we are blessed to live at a time when we can look back on events that happened before us, we can see the patterns of how You blessed people in the Scriptures when they obeyed You and cursed those who didn’t. Our challenge is the learn the lessons that history teaches us, opening our spiritual vessels allowing the Holy Spirit to fill them. You not only provided us with a concise statement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in 1 COR 15, but You also provided the support of witnesses who had no ulterior motive to believe when they came to faith in it. The Jewish tradition is to require at least two witnesses for something to be believed. In this case You provided hundreds, including one who was known for being a skeptic. Through study of Your word with precision and prayer (two-way communication in which we listen to You speak first), You have given us what we need to understand the meaning of the sacraments and to properly prepare ourselves to take them. Through Paul, You have commanded us to edify and unify the Body of Christ (Your church). We dedicate ourselves to keeping our eyes fixed on that crucial goal in the course of our spiritual lives in koininea (that intimate and eternal bond that exists between You, ourselves, and fellow believers). We stand in awe of You, Dearest Lord, and take comfort in knowing Your love for us is so profound that Your commands to us are always in our best interests. We acknowledge that Your most earnest desire is for us to have an eternal life of joy and fellowship with You. Today, we approach You in humility to offer You are adoration, worship, loyalty, trust, obedience, honor, glory, praise, and utmost thanksgiving. In Christ’s name, amen.
Can real faith be a love fest? You bet it can! God has enough love for each and every person who is willing to come to Him in faith and obey His commands. That is why He made Christ, “the First among many brothers,” to experience resurrection and why He promises us through Paul that we will be “joint-heirs to His Kingdom with Christ” [RO 8: 17 & 29]. When we act with the same love that Jesus Christ demonstrated, we can actively keep our covenant agreements and bask in the warm glow of that love at the same time. Tomorrow, I am prompted to discuss what “sleep” means in the Scriptures in connection with keeping one’s covenant agreements. In the meanwhile, God loves you and so do Peter and I.
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn