Communion and Forbearance
Sat, 02/14/2009 - 08:35 — Richard Roper
Matt. 5: 23-24 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and you remember that your brother has something against you; Leave your gift before the altar, and go and first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Is this the epitomy of taking communion or what. We are so often admonished not to eat the bread or drink from the Lord’s cup in an improper way. We are called upon to examine ourselves to avoid this. In many churches, children and non members are excluded from communion just in case they eat and drink judgment against themselves.
But the reality is, that this does nothing for the real problem. The context of 1 Corinthians is about relationships and more particularly broken relationships.
1 Cor 1:10 "Brothers and sisters, I encourage all of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to agree with each other and not to split into opposing groups".
When we are told "Anyone who eats and drinks is eating and drinking a judgment against himself when he doesn’t recognize the Lord’s body" (1 Cor 11:29), we are being required to work on our relationships with each other (recognize the Lord’s body). Surely a much harder task than simply excluding children and non members from the Lord's table.
Through all the teachings, parables and prayers of Jesus, the thread of love weaves all other truths into a tapestry.
In his upper room discourse (Jn. 14:21, 23), Jesus shared with his disciples that he and his Father would dwell with those who obey his commands. How do we do this practically speaking?
We want God to dwell in our hearts and, by extension, in our cities, but that level of obedience is much easier to talk about than to live out isn’t it?
Because the quality of our interpersonal relationships matter to God, it should matter far more to us.
Working hard and well at resolving strained relationships is the central qualifier for receiving God’s blessing.
We can ramp up all kinds of plans and projects, but if we are not dwelling together in unity (Ps 133), we’ll miss the blessing from above.
The heap of unresolved hurts and offences in the church must grieve God deeply. Doesn’t this at least partially explain why many churches and cities do not see Jesus “disclosing” himself in greater measure?
The challenge to work at healthy relationships is always relevant to our families and our church or mission organizations.
In Col. 3:13,14 we are called to “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
It doesn’t always work however. There is no perfect Christian utopian community. In many cases, the Lord deals with people’s hearts over time; convicting, softening, preparing them to resolve issues. And sometimes, matters are left unresolved
As members of the body of Christ, we must make the admonition of Romans 12:18 our ceaseless aim: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” As much emotional work as it entails, we must be committed to extend the longsuffering forbearance to one another over the long haul.
Lets take a few moments to pray for all those that we have struggled with in our recient history.
Fairdinkum
Is this the epitomy of taking communion or what. We are so often admonished not to eat the bread or drink from the Lord’s cup in an improper way. We are called upon to examine ourselves to avoid this. In many churches, children and non members are excluded from communion just in case they eat and drink judgment against themselves.
But the reality is, that this does nothing for the real problem. The context of 1 Corinthians is about relationships and more particularly broken relationships.
1 Cor 1:10 "Brothers and sisters, I encourage all of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to agree with each other and not to split into opposing groups".
When we are told "Anyone who eats and drinks is eating and drinking a judgment against himself when he doesn’t recognize the Lord’s body" (1 Cor 11:29), we are being required to work on our relationships with each other (recognize the Lord’s body). Surely a much harder task than simply excluding children and non members from the Lord's table.
Through all the teachings, parables and prayers of Jesus, the thread of love weaves all other truths into a tapestry.
In his upper room discourse (Jn. 14:21, 23), Jesus shared with his disciples that he and his Father would dwell with those who obey his commands. How do we do this practically speaking?
We want God to dwell in our hearts and, by extension, in our cities, but that level of obedience is much easier to talk about than to live out isn’t it?
Because the quality of our interpersonal relationships matter to God, it should matter far more to us.
Working hard and well at resolving strained relationships is the central qualifier for receiving God’s blessing.
We can ramp up all kinds of plans and projects, but if we are not dwelling together in unity (Ps 133), we’ll miss the blessing from above.
The heap of unresolved hurts and offences in the church must grieve God deeply. Doesn’t this at least partially explain why many churches and cities do not see Jesus “disclosing” himself in greater measure?
The challenge to work at healthy relationships is always relevant to our families and our church or mission organizations.
In Col. 3:13,14 we are called to “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
It doesn’t always work however. There is no perfect Christian utopian community. In many cases, the Lord deals with people’s hearts over time; convicting, softening, preparing them to resolve issues. And sometimes, matters are left unresolved
As members of the body of Christ, we must make the admonition of Romans 12:18 our ceaseless aim: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” As much emotional work as it entails, we must be committed to extend the longsuffering forbearance to one another over the long haul.
Lets take a few moments to pray for all those that we have struggled with in our recient history.
Fairdinkum
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