COMMUNION REQUIRES EXERCISE
Monday, January 04, 2016
1Timothy [ESV] 4:4-9 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected
if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and
prayer. If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant
of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good
doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly
myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of
some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the
present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and
deserving of full acceptance.
“communion”,
Strong’s: G2842 κοινωνία; koinōnia; koy-nohn-ee'-ah.
From G2844; partnership, that is, (literally) participation,
or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction: - (to)
communicate (-ation), communion, (contri-), distribution, fellowship.
“communion” is
only 3 times in (KJV) New Testament, all usage in Apostle Paul’s 2 letters to
the dilemma plagued believers in Corinth. In several modern English
translations it is rendered “fellowship” as from the Greek. (1Cor.10:16;
2Cor.6:14; 13:14)
Yesterday was
Communion Sunday at my home church, a congregation presently in the throes of
pain and attempting to find and implement remedy(s).
As in most Christian
congregations I know of, we are to examine ourselves in the light of God’s Word
prior to celebrating partnership with the Lord. (Rom.8:1-19) This I do in a
focused manner before partaking of communion, but I do not consign the exercise
to only those brief moments . . . especially so now in concern for our
congregation’s present state of affairs. In exploring my other personal
options, I could simply fret, bury head in sand, choose a faction to side with,
hope time will cure all things or just flee without further thought or effort.
And admittedly a few of these choices look quite attractive in a delinquent
way.
I’m doing two extramural
exercises:
·
Examining self in the bright light of God’s
descriptions of the seven churches as recorded in Revelation 2:1 – 3:14. What
do I see that pleases/displease my Father? Do I identify as a member of any of
those congregations?
·
I’m thoughtfully reading a fine book handed to
me after Sunday School yesterday. THE ENTITLEMENT CURE, Finding Success In
Doing Hard Things the Right Way, by Dr. John Townsend. I completed half before
Downton Abbey, with more than one page being mirror-like. I’m ordering my own
copy today so as to notate and underline.
So what is today’s DT thrust? The Corinthians
had troubles, our congregation has problems? No.
I’m encouraging an ongoing habit of vertical
and horizontal fellowship examination . . . and as needed intensifying the
exercise to prevent flabbiness.
EBB4
PS. John Townsend coauthored BOUNDARIES, another fine
work that helped me considerably.
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