Other "Thinking Drafts" writing and paraphrasing by Keith Drury -- http://www.indwes.edu/tuesday .

 THE DUTY OF CONSTANT COMMUNION

by John Wesley (Modern paraphrase by Keith Drury)

"Do this in remembrance of me." Luke 22:19 NIV

It is no surprise that unsaved people should never think of taking Communion, but it is strange that so many Christians neglect the duty. One reason why many neglect the duty of Communion is that they are afraid of "eating and drinking unworthily." But they do not recognize how much greater is the danger of not eating and drinking at all. Why is it the duty of every Christian to receive the Lord's Supper as often as possible?

1. IT IS THE PLAIN COMMAND OF CHRIST.

The words are plain in Luke 22:19: "Do this in remembrance of me." Jesus instructed the apostles to bless, break, and give the bread. And all Christians are obligated to receive these signs of Christ's body and blood. We are to do this in remembrance of His death, to the end of the world. Note also that Jesus gave this command as He was about to lay down His life for our sakes. These words are therefore His dying words to all of His followers. How can a Christian ignore such a plain command? It is our simple duty to obey His commands. All of them.

2. BECAUSE OF THE BENEFITS OF COMMUNION.

The Lord's Supper brings us forgiveness of our past sins and present strengthening and refreshing for our soul. As long as we are in this world we will never be free from temptations. The enemies of our soul are always watching to lead us into sin. Too often these enemies prevail over us. So, when we are convinced that we have sinned against God, what more certain way of getting pardon from Him than "showing forth the Lord's death" and asking God, for the sake of His Son's sufferings, to blot out our sins? We should make it our duty to receive Communion as often as possible because of the benefits of forgiveness and strengthening.

3. COMMUNION CONFIRMS THE PARDON OF OUR SINS AND ENABLES US TO LEAVE

THEM. Just as our bodies are strengthened by ordinary food, so our souls are strengthened by these tokens of Christ's body and blood. Should we ignore taking this "soul food"?

This food gives us strength to perform our duty to God. It leads us on to spiritual completeness. How can a true Christian ignore this duty which provides so many benefits? So, if we have any regard whatsoever for the plain command of Christ, and if we want pardon for our sins, and we need strength to believe, to love and to obey, then we should never neglect any opportunity of receiving the Lord's Supper. We must never turn our backs on an opportunity for Communion. We must never neglect an opportunity for Communion. So, whoever passes by an opportunity to receive Communion either does not understand his or her duty, or cares little for the dying command of Jesus Christ or the forgiveness of sins, the strengthening of the soul, and the inner refreshing which come from the Lord's Supper.

Every person who has any desire whatsoever to please God, to obey Him, and feed his own soul, should take Communion every time he can, like the first Christians did who made Communion a constant part of every single Lord's Day service. In fact, for several centuries the early Christians received Communion almost every day—four times a week, always! Furthermore, among the early Christians, anyone who had joined with the believers and failed to take Communion was considered an unbeliever. This is what the ancient writer said: "If any believer joins in the prayers of the faithful, and goes away without receiving the Lord's Supper, let him be excommunicated as bringing confusion into the church of God." If these early Christians received Communion so often, why should you not receive it likewise!

In order to understand the Lord's Supper, it is useful to read the passages in the Gospel and in 1 Corinthians that speak of its institution. In Scripture we learn that God has designed this sacrament as a continual remembrance of Christ's death, by eating the bread and drinking the wine. These are outward signs of the inward grace. It is, of course, good for those who are going to receive Communion, whenever time permits, to prepare themselves by self-examination and prayer. But this time of self-examination is not absolutely necessary. When we don't have time for it, we should make sure that we have a "habitual preparation"—being constantly prepared for Communion—which we can never ignore on any occasion. And what is that preparation most of all? It is a full purpose of heart to keep all of the commandments of God, and a sincere desire to receive all of His promises. This is all the preparation that is necessary—in either a period of self-examination and prayer, or in the constant and habitual preparation in attitude. Simply a purpose to keep God's commandments and a desire to receive His promises.

Recognize that there are some common objections to receiving the Lord's Supper constantly and frequently. I prefer the word constantly to frequently. The term frequently tends to communicate the idea of "more often." How much more often? More than once a year? Once in seven years? Once before we die? The term frequently is indeterminate and unclear. What we really mean regarding the taking of the Lord's Supper is constantly—at every opportunity to receive it, not just "more often."

WHY SHOULD WE TAKE COMMUNION CONSTANTLY?

1. IT IS A COMMAND OF GOD.

God has commanded us, "Do this in remembrance of me." This is the same God who is our Mediator and Governor. It is the God from whom we have received our life and all things. It is the God upon whose will it depends whether we shall be happy or miserable. It is this God who commands us to "Do this in remembrance of me." I ask then, why do you not do this, when you can, if you will? When you have the opportunity to take of the Lord's Supper, why do you not obey the command of God?

Perhaps you are saying, "God does not command me to do this as often as I can." That is, you argue, "as often as you can" is not clearly printed in the Scriptures. But where does that lead you? Are we not to obey every command of God as often as we can? To take Holy Communion is our duty. Whatever we can do, we ought to do. Face it. The person who has an opportunity to obey this command, and does not, will simply have no place in the kingdom of heaven. God has commanded us to do this.

The truth is we are obligated to keep every commandment of God as far as we can. What is the choice? If we are not obligated to obey God as often as we can, then it cannot be argued that we are obligated to obey Him at any time. For if we provide for the escape clause "I will do it at a later time" for obeying the command to take Communion, why would we not be able to say this about every other command of the Lord? So, the primary reason to take Communion constantly is that it is a clear command of God to do so. To disobey this command jeopardizes our walk with God.

2. IT IS A MERCY FROM GOD TO MAN

The Lord's Supper is a channel of mercy from God to man. A channel of mercy (or, "means of grace") is a way God has provided to make us like himself, like Him in holiness. And since it is His intention to make us holy, He has given us certain means of obtaining His help, since He knew we could do nothing towards becoming holy ourselves. One of these "means of grace" is the Lord's Supper. He has provided the Lord's Supper to enable us to obtain holiness on earth, and everlasting glory in heaven.

I ask, then, why do you not accept this grace of God as often as you can? God now offers you this blessing. Why do you refuse? You now have opportunity to receive His mercy and grace—why do you not receive it? Are you weak? Why not seize every opportunity of increasing your strength?

In summary, considering the Lord's Supper as a clear command of God, the person that does not participate as often as he can has no Christian piety whatsoever. And considering the Lord's Supper as a mercy or means of grace, the person who does not participate as often as he can has no wisdom whatsoever.

Keeping these two considerations in mind (that the Lord's Supper is a clear command of God and a means of grace or mercy from God to us), it is now easy to provide a full answer to all of the common objections which have been made against "constant Communion." Consider the following excuses:

EXCUSES FOR NOT COMMUNING

Excuse #1 "I AM UNWORTHY"

Some men and women commonly refuse to participate in the Lord's Supper, believing themselves to be unworthy and knowing that the Scriptures say, "He that eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks damnation to himself." If you have felt this way, consider this: God offers you one of the greatest mercies on this side of heaven and commands that you accept it. Why do you not accept this mercy in obedience to His clear command? You say, "I am unworthy to receive it." So what? You are unworthy to receive any mercy from God. Is that any reason for refusing all mercy? For instance, God offers you a pardon for all of your sins. You are unworthy of it, to be sure. He knows it. But since He is pleased to offer this pardon for sins, will you refuse to accept it? He offers to deliver your soul from death. You are unworthy to live. But will you therefore refuse this life He has offered? He offers to empower your soul with new strength. Because you are unworthy of such power, will you deny to take it? What can God himself do for us further if we refuse His mercy because we are "unworthy"?

But suppose that participating in the Lord's Supper had no value to us, brought us no grace or power. (This, of course, would make God to be a liar, but consider it for argument's sake.) I still ask, why do you not obey God's command? He says, "Do this." Why do you not do it? You answer, "I am unworthy to do it." What?! Unworthy to obey God? Unworthy to do what God commands you to do? Unworthy to obey God's command? What do you mean by this? Do you mean that those who are unworthy to obey God ought not to obey Him? Who told you so? If you heard this from "an angel from heaven, let him be accursed." Do you think God himself has told you this by Saint Paul? Hear Saint Paul's own words, "He that eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks damnation to himself."

Why, this is quite another thing altogether. There is not a word said here about being unworthy to eat and drink. Saint Paul is speaking here of eating and drinking unworthily. That is quite another thing. He has told us this himself. In this very chapter in 1 Corinthians, we are told that eating and drinking unworthily means taking the holy sacrament in such a rude and disorderly way that some were hungry and others drunk. But what is that to you? Is there a danger of you doing this? Eating and drinking unworthily in this manner? No matter how unworthy you are to participate in the Lord's Supper, there is no fear of your participating like the Corinthians. Therefore, whatever punishment of doing it unworthily should not concern you.

You need not fear bringing damnation onto yourself by participating in the Lord's Supper. Do not be afraid to eat and drink unworthily, for in the sense that Saint Paul is speaking of, you can't do it. But I will tell you what should cause you to fear damnation—not eating and drinking at all. Fear not obeying your Maker and clearly disobeying His plain command.

Some give as their excuse that they are unworthy because, "I have lately fallen into sin." It is true that the invitation to Communion forbids those who have done any grievous crime to receive Communion without repentance. But all that means is that we should repent before we come, not that we should neglect to come at all. To make an argument that a person should turn his back upon the Lord's Supper because he has lately fallen into sin is to impose a penalty upon himself that cannot be taken from Scripture. For where does the Bible teach that to atone for the breaking of one commandment you should break another? What advice is this—"Commit a new act of disobedience and God will more easily forgive the past!"

There are others who excuse their disobedience to God's plain command, pleading that they are unworthy in another sense—that they "cannot live up to it." They cannot pretend to lead so holy a life as constant Communion would have obligated them to do. Let me put it into plain words. I ask, "Why don't you accept the mercy which God commands?" You answer, "Because I can't live up to the profession I must make to participate in the Lord's Supper." Then it is plain you ought never to receive it at all! For it makes no more sense to promise once what you know you cannot do, than to promise it a thousand times. You promise just as much, whether you promise once, often, or seldom. As far as profession goes, you profess nothing but this—that you will diligently keep His commandments. Can't you keep up to this profession? If not, you cannot enter into eternal life. When you were baptized, you promised to keep the commandments of God. When you participate in the Lord's Supper, you do the same thing—you promise no more and no less during Communion than in baptism.

Excuse # 2 "I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO PREPARE."

A second objection against constant Communion is being too busy to prepare. I answer that all the preparation necessary is contained in these words: "Repent of your past sins; have faith in Christ our Savior; amend your lives, and be in charity with all men; so that you are acceptable partakers of these holy mysteries." Anyone who is prepared in this sense can draw near without any fear, and receive the sacrament to their comfort. Now, how can you be so busy as to be kept from repenting from your past sins; believing that Christ died to save sinners; from amending your lives; and being in charity with all men? If you are so busy that you are hindered from this, you are being hindered from being saved altogether. If you resolve in your heart and intend to follow Christ, you are fit to approach the Lord's table. If you do not intend this, you are simply fit for the table and company of devils.

So there is no busyness that can hinder any person from having the preparation necessary to receive Communion. Unless he or she is too busy to be saved. Certainly every prudent person will (as time is available) examine himself before receiving the Lord's Supper. He will ask if he truly repents of his former sin; whether he believes the promises of God; whether he fully intends to walk in His ways, and be in charity with all men. In this, and in private prayer as well, the prudent Christian will spend all the time possible preparing for the Lord's Supper. But what is this to you who don't have the time? What excuse is this for not obeying God? He commands you to come and prepare yourself by prayer if you have time. If you don't have the time, come anyway. Don't hold reverence for God's command as a pretense for breaking that very command! Don't rebel against Him for fear of offending Him! Whatever you do or leave undone, be sure to do what God commands you to do. Examining yourself in private prayer, especially before the Lord's Supper, is good. However, "to obey is better than self-examination." He has called you to obey this command of His whether you are busy or not, or have prepared yourself by self-examination or not.

Excuse # 3 "IT REDUCES REVERENCE FOR THE SACRAMENTS."

A third objection against constant Communion is that it reduces our reverence for this sacrament. Suppose it did? So what? Will you then conclude that you are not to receive Communion constantly? This doesn't make sense. God commands you, "Do this." Will you say, "If I do this often I'll lose my reverence for it." Suppose you did lose your reverence? Has God ever told you that when obeying His commands makes you lose your reverence for them, you may then begin to disobey the commands? If He has told you this, OK. If not, your argument does not make sense.

Excuse # 4 "I HAVEN'T GOTTEN MUCH OUT OF IT."

The fourth objection is, "I have received the Lord's Supper constantly, but I have not found much benefit from it." This objection must be considered seriously, for it is given by many well-meaning persons. But consider this: Whatever God commands us to do, we are supposed to do because He has commanded us to do it, and not because we get any benefit from it. God has commanded, "Do this in remembrance of me." So we should receive the Lord's Supper because He has commanded us to do it, whether we get any benefit from it or not. Undoubtedly we will receive personal benefit sooner or later. We will be strengthened, made more fit for God's service, and become more steady and constant in obeying God and serving Him. At least receiving the Lord's Supper may keep us from falling back, and will preserve us from many sins and temptations we do not even anticipate. In fact, this alone should be enough to make us receive this spiritual food as often as we can, even though we do not feel we are receiving any effect from it.

But suppose a man or woman has received the sacrament often and has still received no benefit. Was this his own fault? Either this person was not rightly prepared, not willing to obey all of God's commands, unwilling to receive all of God's promises, or did not receive the Lord's Supper right, trusting in God. The more you are truly prepared to receive the Lord's Supper, and the more often you come to the Lord's table, the greater benefit you will find there.

Excuse # 5 "IT IS ONLY REQUIRED A FEW TIMES A YEAR."

A fifth objection which some make against constant Communion is that the church only requires it three or four times a year. That is how you receive the Lord's Supper, because the church is only required to serve it three or four times a year. To this I answer, what if the church had not required it at all? Isn't it good enough that God requires it? We obey the church only for God's sake, don't we? Shall we not obey God himself? If, then, you receive Communion three or four times a year because the church commands it, receive it more often because God commands it.

But, we can't conclude from the church's tradition and requirements that one who received Communion only three or four times a year is without excuse. The plain idea of the church is simple: The one who does not receive Communion at least three times a year should be cast out of the church. But that does not excuse those who receive Communion no oftener. This has never been the judgment of the church; on the contrary, she takes all possible care that the sacrament be properly administered every time Common Prayer is read and every Sunday and holiday in the year.

CONCLUSION

I believe I have shown: (1) That if we consider the Lord's Supper as a command of Christ, then no man can have any pretense at spirituality who does not receive it (not once a month, but as often as he can; (2) That if we consider the institution of the Lord's Supper as a mercy or means of grace to ourselves, no person who does not receive it as often as he can has the pretense to any sort of Christian prudence; (3) That none of the objections usually made against receiving Communion as often as we can, gives any excuse for a man or a woman who does not participate at every opportunity.

We have shown that unworthiness is no excuse, because in one sense we are all unworthy. Being too busy for preparation is no excuse, since the only preparation that is absolutely necessary is an attitude that no busyness can hinder. As to reducing the reverence toward Communion, this is no excuse as well since he who gave the command, "Do this," nowhere adds, "unless it reduces your reverence." Fourth, whether it brings any benefit to us or not is no excuse, since it is our own fault in neglecting the necessary preparation, which reduces the benefit to ourselves. Finally, the judgment of the church is not to limit Communion to three or four times a year, but to cause offering the Lord's Supper this often as a minimum and not in any way adequate.

So, if you have neglected the Lord's Supper for any of these reasons, take these things to heart. They will, by the grace of God, bring you to a better understanding of the Lord's Supper, and cause you to never forsake this means of grace and mercy from God to you.

Paraphrase by Keith Drury
 


So what do you think?

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By Keith Drury, 1994. You are free to transmit, duplicate or distribute this article for non-profit use without permission.