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.
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