I realize that this title is strongly worded, but that is the very warning of God. First Corinthians 11 speaks about when the church would “come together” (an expression used five times in verses 17-34, obviously referring to the regular assembly of the church on the Lord’s day). The purpose of the church coming together was “to eat the Lord’s Supper” (11:20; cf. Acts 20:7), which they did every first day of the week. The instruction of our Savior Himself was to eat of the bread and drink of the cup, and “do this in remembrance of Me” (11:24-25).
But what if I eat of the bread and drink of the cup (i.e., I do the right actions with the right elements on the right day) but I do not remember, discern and return in my mind to the sacrificial, agony-filled punishment that Jesus endured in my stead? In verse 27, Scripture tells me that I will be “guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.” Then, verse 29 tells me that in so doing, I will have brought “damnation” on myself. My Lord’s endurance on the cross must saturate my mind and flood my soul. May I never damn myself by not focusing on Him!