6/5/14- The Invisible Communion

therefore it is called the communion, not of profane persons, but of saints, who, as citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem,[3] have the fruition of the most inestimable benefits: to wit, of one God, one Lord Jesus, one faith, and of one baptism;[4] out of the which kirk there is neither life, nor eternal felicity. And therefore we utterly abhor the blasphemy of them that affirm that men which live according to equity and justice shall be saved, what religion that ever they have professed. For as without Christ Jesus there is neither life nor salvation,[5] so shall there none be participant thereof, but such as the Father has given unto his Son Christ Jesus, and those [that] in time come unto him,[6] avow his doctrine, and believe into him (we comprehend the children with the faithful parents).[7] This kirk is invisible, known only to God, who alone knows whom he has chosen,[8] and comprehends as well (as said is) the elect that are departed (commonly called the kirk triumphant), as those that yet live and fight against sin and Satan as shall live hereafter.[9] (Scots 16 b)

"I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: 'He who shared my bread has turned against me.' (John 13:18)

19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. (Colossians 1:19,20)

Thoughts: Knox rightly points out that we commune not with the disobedient or unrepentant but with the invisible church- the elect- who are known only to God.  There is not bond with those who do not believe or do not seek to love or follow God.  There has always been a strain within Christianity that push for universal salvation no matter what we do or believe. But in this confession, we are reminded that we are not saved because we are "good" people by human standards or judgment.  We are united to Christ when we tie ourselves to Him in belief, and forsake evil and unbelief.  The tie that binds does not bind us to those who do not have the Holy Spirit in them by belief.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to recognize and be grateful for my brothers and sisters.  

6/28/13- The Tie With Heaven

11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength  and honor and glory and praise!”

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power,  for ever and ever!”

14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Revelation 5)

2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. (Mark 9:2-4)

THEREFORE with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee, and saying,
    HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, Lord God of, hosts, Heaven and earth are full of thy glory: Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High. Amen. (Book of Common Worship- communion liturgy)

"And mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won." (The Church's One Foundation)

Thoughts: The Church is struggling now but at rest later.  It is all one body- all who believe- past, present, and eventually future.  This is another emphasis of the invisible church idea.  The church will triumph over sin.  Some have already triumphed, and some are still in the struggle against it.  The old phrase was that the church is militant (in the struggle of life) and triumphant (won in this struggle).  

     Barth says, "It is not only the living who speak and act, but their predecessors, their words and works, their history, which does not end on their departure, but on their departure often only enters its decisive stage among their successors, standing in an indissoluble relationship with the history of the present."  (Church Dogmatics IV/1).  The faith handed down flows through us.
     This is important for people who are isolated as Christians, or who feel all alone in their faith.  There are many- multitudes upon multitudes who have bowed only to God.  We join with them- and in a sense we are part of the great cloud of witnesses.  They are watching us.  

Prayer: Lord we do not believe in a vacuum.  Help us to recognize the saints and those who have gone before.  

(Francesco Botticini- Assumptino of the Virgin)- notice angels above, believers below- both dead and living together- all in a circle pointed toward God.