Communion- Tradition of Men or Being Focused on the Lord 5-23-24
I am praying that this last message pertaining to communion (the Lord’s Supper) will open the eyes of the church and the manner (formality) in which they partake of the Lord’s supper. For many years during my walk with the Lord, communion has been more of a ritual, than the focus being on the Lord.
There is nothing wrong with the leaders (pastors, ministers, and deacons) wearing their black suits and white gloves. Nor is it wrong for the deaconesses to wear all white (including hats), or sitting on the front pew, if that is the church protocol. It is not wrong if the main focus is not on the ritual, but on the Lord.
When the focus is on tradition rather than the Lord's purpose, then it becomes a ritual similar to certain organizations that meet and go through their rituals. It is one thing for the world to go through their rituals, but for a child of God, rituals should not be their main focus. The entire Bible is all about Jesus, not about us. We are pleasing the Lord when we put our focus on Him.
Tradition – according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
Rituals - a religious or solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order. Example: Communion must be served on the first Sunday of the month only.
From Jesus’ mouth - He said to them, all too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition…. making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do (Mark 7:9,13).
Paul wrote - Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ (Colossians 2:8)
Not discerning the Lord’s body
Not having unity with each other in Christ as His body is so serious that the consequences include sickness and death; and many people are not even aware of why it happened. We are dishonoring Christ and each other because we are His body.
In actuality it is like a mockery of God. When you take communion unworthily, you are lying to the Holy Spirit. How is that so? Jesus said as often as you eat and drink, you are commemorating His body that was broken and His blood that was shed for you.
Therefore, taking communion when you are not unified with other believers, means that Jesus’ body is being broken. That is making a mockery of the Lord, which is no better than Ananias and Sapphira, who lied to the Holy Spirit when they held back a portion that was promised.
But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.
Then Peter said to her, how is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out. Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last (Acts 5:3-10). The situation is not the same, but the emphasis is; a lie is a lie!
If you are in a clique, you are leaving others out and that breaks the body. Please do not take this lightly. If you have been guilty of not taking communion worthily, ask the Lord and your brothers and sisters to forgive you.
Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org
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