The Scripture we need to examine is 1 Cor. 11:27-29,
27Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.
How do believers partake in communion without doing so in an "unworthy manner"? The answer: By examine their own lives (see v. 28) and to repent and ask forgiveness for any unconfessed sin BEFORE participating in communion. Remember, Jesus' sacrificial death was for others. Therefore, when we sin against others (as the Corinthians in Paul's day were doing) and do not confess and repent of our sin, we show great disrespect for Jesus himself. So I humbly ask you: Do you have any unconfessed sin (especially against others in the church)? If so, go to the person, ask for forgiveness and repent. If you do this, I believe you will not eat or drink in an unworthy manner; but a manner that pleases the Lord.
I'd also like to point out that the judgment in 1 Cor. 11 means the Lord will lovingly discipline those who dishonor the communion. No one can predict exactly what kind of discipline/suffering, but when we are disciplined, it should lead us to repentance (v. 32). It is an act of mercy that God disciplines us in this life, so that we will turn from sin and not be condemned in the next one.
[Answered by Pastor HM]
