1 of 1

Q. Tell us about your Communion encounter with God.

A. During my college days, in our small, Bowling Green, Kentucky church, Pastor Bill Lane began talking about sin. To discuss theologically the obligatory sacrifice of Jesus for sin was permissible. But quite unexpectedly, he began to list particular sins. "There are young couples in the congregation," Dr. Lane began, "who aren't married but who nonetheless spent the night together." I looked around and realized he was right. Many of them my friends. His list went on and on—from the blatant to the subtle. The congregation was visibly shaken. "If you're guilty of this sin or that," Bill said, and paused as we all braced ourselves, "then this table is for you." He pointed to the Communion table in front of the pulpit. At the very moment we thought Dr. Lane was going to push us into the pit we'd all dug for ourselves, he threw us a rope. The table of the Lord—for us!

So why the call to examine ourselves for sin before taking Communion?

For the first time I realized that call was not there so that we can somehow make a full accounting of our sins and thereby be worthy to come to the table. That call helps us realize we have no right whatsoever to be there! You and I are the prostitutes and the tax collectors Jesus welcomed to fellowship with him. The lunatic joy I felt only comes from seeing clearly that we've no right coming to the table at all. Jesus, none-theless, welcomes you and me as His special guests, to be astounded at His generosity.

Michael Card, a singer and songwriter, lives in Franklin, Tennessee.

Adapted from Immanuel (Nelson, 1990) by permission.

Copyright © 2003 by the author or Christianity Today/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

 1 of 1

share this page

Prayer for the Week

Dear Savior, It was my sins that precipitated Your execution. Help me to grasp that—and respond suitably.

				Try an Issue of Men of Integrity Free! Name Street Address City/State/Zip Email Address No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders. If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless. Give Men of Integrity as a gift Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!

FREE Newsletter Sign up for the Men of Integrity Newsletter (All fields required)    RSS Feed   RSS Help