"So then, 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. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world."(1 Corinthians 11:27-32)
It is clear here as Apostle explains to us how we should be well prepared being worthy of receiving the Lord's supper. Apostle Paul was not talking to the congregation of the Corinthians alone, but the entire Christians fraternity in the World, because it has become a fashion to many Christians in our Churches that if you do not receive the Lord's supper, you are the worse sinner of all. So, there are many people who receive the Lord's Supper with an unholy or uncleaned body before the Lord.
It is against this background that through this message Apostle is admonishing us to be aware and conscious of ourselves that whoever engages herself or himself in such act is inviting so many curses upon himself or herself. This is not our normal bread and wine that normally take in our homes, neither alcoholic beverages that we take and become intoxicated, but it the Holy Communion sanctified by God Almighty, prepared fully before his people who have really had a covenant to be faithful and walk in his words. It there for people who have gotten rid of all forms of sins.
Whoever takes it just as a fun or because their family members or friends are receiving, must be careful, since in as much as we are taking the Lord's Supper with sins, we are inviting troubles upon ourselves. Here, Apostle Paul explained some of the curses or troubles one may encounter with taking the Lord's Supper on an unworthy way: "that is why many of us are weak and sick, and many of us have fallen asleep." What Paul means here is that, for anyone who lies to God before the Lord's table become weak and also invite sickness upon himself or herself. We also become weak in Spirit(asleep). If we do not eat at all, because maybe we think we have sinned against God, it is even better, because it means that we have confessed our sins before the Lord. But, whoever eats with sins, means that he has not accepted that he/she is a sinner, he/she holds unto his/her sins, and God has to punish that person for abusing his rules on his Supper.
We should therefore understand the principles or rules governing the Lord's Supper in order not to faulter and invite curses upon ourselves. We should remember that God always wants us to come to his table with a worthy heart. We should also confess our sins before the Lord. Thank you beloved for being obedient to the Lord's Supper, Amen!
