1Corinthians 11:27-32 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But let him examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are week and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
It must first be understood that our worthiness is based upon what Jesus did, not what we do. As it is written in 2Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” A person will never truly feel worthy by trying to be worthy -it does not work! Christianity 101 states that our relationship with God cannot be earned: our salvation is based upon what Jesus Christ did when he shed is blood on the Cross, died and rose again. We simply need to receive him, and continue to walk in him. All is based upon God’s love for us: “But God commendeth (declared, or made known) his love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement” (Romans 5:8-11, KJV). The first step of ridding unworthiness, is simply receiving the righteousness of God, found in Jesus Christ. He has made you worthy -simply receive it. John 1:12 But as many have received him, to them gave he power (authority) to become the sons of God, even them that believe on his name.
Many people struggle with unworthiness after they have blown it. Remember, God has made the provision for every aspect our walk with him. He knew everything that would ever happen long before the beginning of the world. We cannot disappoint him because he already knew -He is omniscient, all knowing! In his foreknowledge, he made the provision for the times that we would blow it. 1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Sometimes feelings of unworthiness is the result of pride. It comes with a works orientated point of view that says, “I have to make up for what I did.” Question: Why did Jesus shed his blood? We cannot make up for anything! Pride prevents people from simply receiving God’s forgiveness. If you have that mentality, and you really want to make up for things; do it his way! Repent, ask for his forgiveness, receive it, learn from your mistakes, and move on. He wants an intimate relationship with you; otherwise, Jesus would have never came. Our relationship is not based upon on our worthiness; it is based upon his love. 1John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.
Unworthiness is also the result of un-repentance. If a person sins and he refuses to repent, he will feel unworthy because he has not received the correction of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will convict us when we step out of line, and we will feel a gap between us and the Father until we repent. If you happen to be one who has not repented, heed the warning found in Hebrews 3:12-15, “Take heed brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end. While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation” (KJV). Humble yourself before the Lord, and repent.
Un-forgiveness is another major cause of feeling unworthy. This is very simple: forgive anyone you may hold a grudge against. Through God’s grace given us, he gives us the strength to forgive -even the so-called unforgivable acts that others may have done. Simply ask for the willingness and strength to forgive; then forgive. Jesus knows exactly what any of us may suffered from the hands of another. If we do not forgive, we will not be forgiven. Standing in a place of un-forgiveness will lead one to bitterness. Freedom begins with forgiveness. The ultimate revenge is actually extending forgiveness to others; after all, the devil would love nothing more than to pull us into the pits of hell. That’s right, one of the enemy’s tactics is to get us to into un-forgiveness. If a person really wants to retaliate -forgive!
The Lord’s supper is a wonderful thing to partake in. This is especially true when we feel unworthy. In the King James, the word, “unworthily” is used in relation to partaking in the bread and the cup of the Lord. That word could also be rendered, “disrespectfully.” In other words, the verse could be said this way, “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, disrespectfully, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.” When a person feels unworthy, the place to run is the table of the Lord. The reason for this is that it causes one to pause for self-examination through the Holy Spirit. As we ask the Lord to show us any area that needs repentance, he is faithful to reveal it. At which time, we can repent while confessing it to him. In it there is a mindfulness and a connection made with Jesus. During this time, it helps us discern where we are in relation to the Lord and the Body of Christ. It helps us to reconnect! The Lord’s Supper, also known as Communion can be taken in the privacy of our own home. We do not have to wait to go do church to partake. We can gather with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in full remembrance. The word, “Communion,” also means fellowship. Therefore, enter into fellowship with the Lord, and leave unworthiness behind, once and for all!
