The bible tells us not to take communion in an unworthy manner. I'm sure there will be all sorts of ideas on what that means. It is a time to reflect on what Christ did and examining one's own heart for any uncleanliness. Asking for forgiveness of these sins but also taking care of any wrongs we have done to someone (if possible) before taking in the blood and the flesh of Christ. So not just in asking for forgiveness but actually righting the wrong before taking communion. However, we all know that not all wrongs can be physically made right, so we ask for God to intervene in these matters.
This is for the sake of our own conscience and the healing of anyone we may have hurt. There is nothing better than getting one's sin's off of their chest to God and then making the wrong, right if possible.
I'm sure I'm saying this all wrong and it will sound like "works" but by the blood of Christ (if we are in Christ) we are already found worthy, but in that worthiness, we examine ourselves and go and do the right things we need to do. This is a very personal matter and in some cases the prayer of forgiveness is what is needed..but the Holy Spirit will prompt us if we need to physically make something right.
Now one of the things I came to realize by being friends with vektek is that she focused on Grace. We use to debate works vs Grace. I now know why she does that after seeing how unbiblical and unbalanced people could be with the word of God concerning it. I use to complain that she never talked about the works we do after we come to Christ and so to me it did not seemed balanced in her sharing...but I came to realize that if people don't understand what Jesus did on that cross for our sake, then the works part is a waste of time to discuss.
It may appear like a lazy approach to faith in Christ...however, that is not true...she does believe in doing good works, but if any of us present here believes we can gain salvation by adding these good works then they are shunning what Christ did on the cross for us all. In other words, belittling what was done on the cross and thinking we can make it right by what we do. That would be thinking like Satan and would be teaching people the wrong thing.
Now there is the issue of christians who do not ever examine themselves and they live in sin without repentance and never have a relationship with God. There will always be people going through the motions of appearing to be a christian but will not have the Spirit. It's not to say that at some point they will not come to see the light, but they are walking in their own worldly strength.
Now I think you sometimes question whether a real christian would EVER be caught in this position. I believe as long as a christian has flesh on their bones and are alive, they will be tempted to walk in a worldly sense. The only remedy is the blood of Christ and letting Him carry the burden. By examining ourselves on a regular basis we come to a better understanding of what Christ is doing within us.