Question 172. Can a person who doubts whether he is in Christ or whether he is worthy to receive the sacrament of the Lord's Supper?

 

Question 172. Can a person who doubts whether he is in Christ or whether he is worthy to receive the sacrament of the Lord's Supper?

Answer. A person who doubts whether he is in Christ or whether he is worthy to receive the sacrament of the Lord's Supper may have a genuine interest in Christ, even though he is not yet sure of it. If he is concerned about the lack of such interest and has a sincere desire to be found in Christ and to turn from sin, he is acceptable in the sight of God. In such cases, even weak and doubting believers should lament their unbelief and endeavor to resolve their doubts. In this way, they may not only receive the sacrament, but also have a duty to receive it, so that they may grow more spiritually.

Romans 4:18-22 『Against hope Abraham in hope believed so that he should become the father of many nations, just as it was said, "So shall your offspring be." Without weakening in faith he considered his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, or Sarah's womb, yet he did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that what he had promised, he was able to also perform. Therefore it was credited to him as righteousness.』

No one knows better than himself whether he is in Christ or not. Whether one is in the flesh or in the Spirit is not the result of any action, but of repentance and faith.

Repentance is the realization that the believer himself is a fleshly being, confessing that he is a being who cannot help but die to God, and entrusting himself to God for the death of the cross. Then, God establishes the believer's spiritual identity. Then, the spiritual self and the fleshly self fight, and the Holy Spirit guides the spiritual self and gives faith from heaven. This faith is the faith of Christ, and because the Holy Spirit guarantees it, the believer goes to the covenant.

However, faith without repentance is a faith like a sand castle. Those who do not repent do not know why they are beings who cannot help but die to God. Repentance is not accomplished unless they realize that their hearts are filled with greed to become like God. Repentance is not about repenting of sins committed in the world. As in the parable of the prodigal son, believers must realize that they are prodigal sons who have left God, and that they must return to the kingdom of God, and they must find themselves living as strangers in this world.

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