May One Who Doubts Come?
Eucharistic Meditation
Many Christians, at some point in their life, struggle with a lack of assurance.
It is not uncommon, especially when afflicted with severe trials from outside or grievous sin within, to wonder if you are truly saved, truly forgiven, or truly loved by Christ.
This is not at all just a modern problem. If you read the Puritans, assurance is one of their favorite topics. And it’s not because they were giants in the faith, but rather because many of them had experienced themselves, and counseled others, who had very dark seasons in their faith. When their hearts felt condemned. When they felt forsaken and couldn’t see or feel God’s tender love.
This is a reality that the Westminster Standards, our 17th-century confessional documents, directly addressed. The Westminster Confession states that true believers may have their assurance shaken, diminished, and intermitted for a time (18.4). And the Westminster Larger Catechism even asks, “May one who doubts of his being in Christ… come to the Lord’s Supper?” (Q. 172).
The answer to this question, that you need to hear and remember, if not for yourself then for a brother or sister in need, is yes.
Yes, doubting Christians may come.
In fact, they must come.
As the Catechism states, they ought to come “because promises are made, and this sacrament is appointed for the relief even of weak and doubting Christians… that they may be further strengthened.”
This isn’t a meal for the strong, but for all who know how weak they are without the Lord. God has made promises to you in the gospel and marked you in the waters of baptism; therefore, despite any doubts—Come, and welcome, to Jesus Christ.
This communion meditation was given on November 30, AD 2025 at King’s Cross Church in Moscow, Idaho.