For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man 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 weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. (1 Corinthians 11:23-30)
The Church is Christ’s body—the fullness of Him who fills all in all. When we partake of the bread and cup in Holy Communion, we symbolically share in His body and blood together.
This isn’t individualistic; it’s communal. Paul said that the reason many get sick and die prematurely is that they don’t rightly discern the Lord’s body. They don’t view their brothers and sisters in Christ as part of His body, perhaps because of differences of opinion or background or some kind of disagreement. 1 Corinthians 11:23-30 is a solemn passage. It tells us strife can kill.
People often don’t receive from God because they hold grudges, anger, or even hatred against another believer. The Lord’s body includes every believer, even those with whom we disagree or don’t see eye-to-eye. Unity matters.
When someone offends you, don’t harbor it; get it right and walk in love. Walking in love and honoring one another can be a matter of life and death. Choose life.
Practical Application
You can increase unity within the church by being actively involved in serving others. How can you serve others this week and bring healing and joy by being a part of the body of Christ?