Thanks Johan,

That was helpful and reminded me to reflect on Article 16 of the first head which is also a comfort,

Quote
Article 16

Those who do not yet experience a lively faith in Christ, an assured confidence of soul, peace of conscience, an earnest endeavor after filial obedience, and glorying in God through Christ, efficaciously wrought in them, and do nevertheless persist in the use of the means which God hath appointed for working these graces in us, ought not to be alarmed at the mention of reprobation, nor to rank themselves among the reprobate, but diligently to persevere in the use of means, and with ardent desires devoutly and humbly to wait for a season of richer grace. Much less cause have they to be terrified by the doctrine of reprobation, who, though they seriously desire to be turned to God, to please Him only, and to be delivered from the body of death, cannot yet reach that measure of holiness and faith to which they aspire; since a merciful God has promised that He will not quench the smoking flax nor break the bruised reed. But this doctrine is justly terrible to those, who, regardless of God and of the Savior Jesus Christ, have wholly given themselves up to the cares of the world and the pleasures of the flesh, so long as they are not seriously converted to God.

I'm pretty much in agreement with the Reformed view of the Lord's Supper as a sign and seal of what Jesus has done for us on a personal level. Through sorrow over sin and the faith of His promise we are compelled to come.

I do have to remind myself that I will never have anything in myself that will make me worthy to come but that God has worked in my life to awaken my spiritual consciousness from sin and evil toward His saving love and forgiveness. How can I not acknowledge that and not allow myself to glory and find comfort in Him and His sacrifice.

Last edited by AC.; Tue May 20, 2008 2:34 PM.
The mercy of God is necessary not only when a person repents, but even to lead him to repent, Augustine