Evidence for God from Science

hi everyone, im confused about this scripture in 1 cor 27-30

27 therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord is an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body of the Lord.
28 a man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.
29 for anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.
30 that is why many among you are weak and sick and a number of you have fallen asleep.

this scriptures so confusing to me, because we already know that Lord supper is symbolic only, if symbolic why we became weak and sick nor we fall asleep if we eat and drink in an unworthy manner... could you please help me.. thnks

Hi Francis.

These four verses are part of the communion service beginning in verse 23 of this chapter. The bread, is the bread that is set aside for Communion, signifying the Lord's body and the cup is the wine that signifies the blood of the Lord, that is to be drunk only at the table of the Lord. That cup brings forgiveness for our sins and make us a new creature.

Many Christians misinterpret this and say that "you have to examine yourself to see if you are worthy of taking of the table of the Lord", and they are on very dangerous ground. If we waited until you, me or any person was perfect to receive the bread and cup of the Lord, than no one would take of that table, for there is no one worthy. The word here in verse 27 is "UNWORTHILY" (KJV), and it is the condition of your mind. The person themself is not the subject nor the object of the taking of the Communion. Christ is the one that is perfect and it is to examine His perfection that makes us worthy of taking of the cup. Why would anyone that did not believe in the crucifixion want to take of the cup anyway?

In verse 28, Paul is asking the reader personally, what they are thinking about when they are partaking of the cup and eating of the bread of the Lord's table? Are you filling your stomach for the pleasure of eating? Examine yourself and see what your motives are when you take that cup to your lips. If your remembrance does not go back to the cross and the price that was paid there, then don't partake of the Holy Communion. If you can't remember those events that surround the crucifixion then examine yourself. If your mind is not completely on the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ, than don't take that cup. That is the only thing that matters.

In verse 29, Paul is exclaiming that if a person's mind is not in that remembrance mode, then they are drinking to their own damnation. The subject here is "not discerning the Lord's body". We don't think of those sins that we have committed, but rather our entire focus is on the Lord's Body that was crucified for our sins. Remember Jesus did not drink poison or was driven through with the sword or spear but was tortured and crucified for us. It is only Jesus that was able to make the sacrifice for the sins of those that would repent. Remove your mind from those traditions of humans that like to draw us from the table of the Lord, and focus it on the only place that God says is worthy of consideration at this time. Examine yourself as to what is in your mind and thoughts before you go to the table of the Lord.

In verse 30, "Sleep" is to be spiritually dead, and many are spiritually weak and sickly because they do not partake of the True Bread, which is Christ. It is through Christ that God's love will pour into our soul, and fill our being. This is the one time to realize that we who claim to be Christians don't role-play the Christian, for we either are or we are not.

Hope that helps.