Text - 1 Samuel 24, when David cuts a corner of Saul's robe in the cave
David’s conscience bothered him afterward. Does your conscience bother you as you approach this Table?
In one sense, that is good. We ought to keep in mind our unworthiness to receive an invitation to this fellowship with Christ. In another sense, this is the meal that symbolizes our peace with God. When you go to a fellow church member’s home this noon, you can’t be constantly fretting, thinking “I really don’t deserve to be here. How can I possibly enjoy this, considering who I am?” Put that away. It’s been taken care of. Jesus Christ has died, and we proclaim that here, not our own unworthiness.
So even if you know you are in sin, and it isn’t all totally resolved, as long as you are grieved by it, come now to receive strength to resolve it. Communion drives us to reconcile. Imperfect relationships need not keep us from communion. Partaking here is a source of strength to put away sin, not a sign to those around that you /have/ put it away. Partaking here is not a profession of our spiritual integrity, we do not proclaim ourselves here; partaking is a means toward that integrity. None of us have put away sin to an extent that makes us really worthy to commune with our Lord. Jesus Christ has made us worthy.
As long as your conscience bothers you, you are in good company. When it stops bugging you, then you need to really get concerned. If you are in sin and don’t care, you are eating and drinking judgment on yourself. It will be better for you to refrain from this Table. If you are in sin and have repented, come and receive strength and mercy.
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