1 Corinthians 11:27 –
So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.
This is something I got “drilled” into my head at West Side Bible when I was first saved. Pastor Miller made it clear that if you took of communion without resolving your sins and you relationship with God, it was actually destructive. Many churches never focus on being “right” with God before accepting Christ’s body and blood. So I often wondered where Pastor Miller got this, it was logical but I often wondered the Biblical reference. I am sure he was clear and used it often, but remember this was 40 years ago and I was a young teen, so the “in one ear” theory applied.
Now Paul makes it clear “you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup” (v. 28). So before each communion we should confess our sins before God. If we are not “ready” or fully believe in Christ and God, we should not participate. It’s very clear here that it’s a sin against the Lord to do so. Now why don’t more focus on the confession part and getting “right” with God before partaking? I am not sure, but if you should personally ensure that you do so without prompting. Also explain to as many as you can the same.
I often wonder if this is one of those “sins” that if you know it’s a sin, it’s one. But like drinking, if you do not believe it’s a sin to take communion without resolving you relationship then is it fine? Or is this one of those spiritual truths that everyone must obey? Once you know the truth, you need to ensure you obey.