Communion of saints chapter 26. Confession of faith

 CONFESSION OF FAITH 

CHAPTER XXVI  

OF COMMUNION OF SAINTS  

  Here is illustrated by several Scriptures the fellowship that Christians have with one another in a very practical section.  . "All saints that are united to Jesus Christ their head by his Spirit, and by 

faith, have fellowship with him in his graces, sufferings, death, 

resurrection, and glory. And being united to one another in love, they 

have communion in each other’s gifts and graces;  and are obliged to the 

performance of such duties, public and private, as do conduce to their 

mutual good, both in the inward and outward man. "

In other words Christian conduct comes from Christ.  I John 1:3 " That which we have seen and declare we unto you, that ye also may  have fellowship with us : and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ."

communion -fellowship - koinōnía (a feminine noun) – properly, what is shared in common as the basis of fellowship (partnership, community). biblehub.com

By faith, we have fellowship with Him by His Spirit we are joined with Christ and the Communion.  Some of us are not too good at sharing.  Remember Kindergarten?  Perhaps some of us still do.  Sharing was at the center ?  This sharing is at the heart of the Christian life lived.

Note we have to share His glory and Resurrection but also His sufferings.

I came across this quote on Friday that seemed to illustrate this whole idea painfully well: "  DAILY MEDITATION | AUGUST 9, 2024

Sowing Love

You know something about brokenness. You know about the broken world. You know about brokenness in your country. But most personally, you know it in your more intimate life. You know we are broken people and we suffer very intimate pains. The pain of a desire for intimacy that hasn’t been fulfilled . . . the pain of a relationship that did not work . . . the pain of an addiction that is so hard to confess . . . The secret pain of loneliness that can bite us so much . . . And what I would like to say to you is don’t be afraid of your pain, but dare to embrace it. If you are wounded, and I know that you are and I am, put your brokenness under the blessing.

We are called to give our lives to others, so you and I can bear fruit. And all brokenness, and all dying, and all suffering is there to allow you to enter into solidarity with the whole human family, and to give yourselves to others so that your life can bear fruit. God asks you not to have a successful life but to have a fruitful life."

Henri J. M. Nouwen

The world says that our goals are to be different doesn't it?  Get a lot of money and get more.  Find a beautiful home, etc.....a beautiful person to marry etc....get a job that  pays you more than you are worth.....

But the Church is different. Having the most money does not mean you call the shots....necessarily.  Eph 4:15-16 is also quoted in this part of the Confession, "  but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."  NKJV

2.  The  chapter of the Confession goes on, " Saints, by profession, are bound to maintain an holy fellowship and 

communion in the worship of God, and in performing such other 

spiritual services as tend to their mutual edification;  as also in relieving 

each other in outward things, according to their several abilities and 

necessities. Which communion, as God offereth opportunity, is to be 

extended unto all those who in every place call upon the name of the 

Lord Jesus."

So spiritual building and in serving each other if material needs are necessary as well.   " But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?"  ESV here.

God is not calling us to have a successful life, but a fruitful life.  Nouwen above again. In our study of the judgment of God last week we were reminded of Mt 25 and what it had to say about this, " Jesus will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, putting the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. He will reward the sheep for their acts of mercy and kindness to the needy, saying that whatever they did for the least of his brothers and sisters, they did for him2. He will condemn the goats for their lack of compassion and care, saying that whatever they did not do for the least of his brothers and sisters, they did not do for him2. The sheep will inherit the kingdom of God, while the goats will be cast into the eternal fire."  from commentary on Matthew biblegateway.com

The Epistle lesson for today exempifies the area of Christian conduct, " 25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give [a]place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary [b]edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, [c]clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Walk in Love

5 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma."  NKJV

 Finally, practically...

All week I was taking a re-look at a book So You Want to Be Like Christ?  Eight Essentials to Get you there by Charles Swindoll

1.  Intimacy with God

2.Simplicity -Uncluttering our Minds

3. Silence and Solitude-Slowing our Pace

4. Surrender-Releasing our Grip

5. Prayer- Calling out

6.Humility-bowing low

7.Self control-holding back

8. Sacrifice-giving over.

These are all things Christ did that we should follow.