Forthright Magazine http://www.forthright.net Straight to the Cross New releases, special offers, book news, all here! forthrightpress-subscribe@... COLUMN: COMMUNION MEDITATION I Come to Communion by Robert L. Jenks I come to communion not because I am worthy, not for any righteousness of my own, for I have grievously sinned and fallen short of what by God's help I might have been. I come not because there is any magic in partaking of the symbols of Christ's body and blood. I come not from a sense of duty that is unacquainted with deep appreciation for his blessed means of grace, the highest privilege in Christian worship. I come because Christ bids me come. It is his table, and he extends the invitation. I come because it is a memorial to Him: as oft as it is done in remembrance of him. Here is a vivid portrayal of the redeeming sacrifice of the Christ of Calvary. His matchless life, his vicarious sufferings and his faithfulness even unto death are brought to mind, and I bow humbly before him in worship. I come because in contemplation of the Father and his Son, our Savior, I am moved to thanksgiving for so great salvation. I come because in this encounter with the Savior I am made to feel the wrongness of my sins -- the base desire, unchristian motives, hurtful attitudes, vain ambition, and the things I have done which I ought not to have done, and the things I have failed to do which God expected me to do. I acknowledge my utter unworthiness and walk again the painful but necessary path of repentance. I come because forgiveness is an inseparable part of true repentance. I arise with the assurance of pardon, rejoicing in the opportunity of a new beginning. I come because I arise from the Lord's table with new strength, new courage, new poise and new power to face the demands which life will lay upon me. _______ Published in the bulletin of the Baker Heights church, Abilene, Tex. ---- Read this article online, write your reaction, and read others' comments as well. Click here: http://www.forthright.net/communion_meditation/i_come_to_communion.html You can help get the word out. Here's how: http://www.forthright.net/editorial/lend_a_hand.html