1 Corinthians 11

The Lord's supper is a precious ordinance, and Paul makes that very clear in chapter 11. Two observations:

First, when we eat the bread and drink the cup, we "proclaim the Lord's death until he comes" (vs 26). Notice that this has two parts. One is that we look back to remember Christ's death on the cross. The other is that we look forward to when he will return. Paul wants us to be mindful of both as we take the elements.

Second (and this one actually should come first), is that we must examine ourselves, "judge ourselves truly" (vs 31), before we come to the table to partake in the Lord's supper. Through Christ's death we have forgiveness of sins, but the Lord calls us to examine our hearts first and confess that sin to him. If we do this we are confident that he will cleanse us of all unrighteousness, and then we will not incur God's judgment for eating and drinking in an unworthy manner.

Why wait until the next time you take communion? Confession of sin is a daily practice for those Christians who desire closeness with their Father. When we sin we are separated from God similar to the way you would be if you offended your best friend. The closer we get in relationship to God, the more we pay attention to the condition of our hearts so as to dig up even the smallest of sins, and repent of them, so that nothing separates us from the One we love.