Let a Man Examine Himself

https://www.pcog.org/articles/3582/let-a-man-examine-himself

Let a Man Examine Himself

There is only one way to come to a full knowledge of the importance of Christ’s sacrifice. Keeping the Passover properly requires that we examine ourselves. A thorough spiritual examination of our own selves will show us how desperately we need the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Paul warned the Corinthians, “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew [proclaim] the Lord’s death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup” (i Corinthians 11:26-28).

How do we eat and drink unworthily? The Revised Standard Version (rsv) translates unworthily as “in an unworthy manner.” No human being is worthy of Christ’s sacrifice (see Romans 3:23; 5:8). However, we can be worthy in our attitude.

Taking the Passover worthily means we enter into the Passover service with deep respect for Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. A casual attitude about Christ’s sacrifice makes us unworthy to take of the Passover.

What is our responsibility, given Christ’s sacrifice? Paul says we must examine ourselves.