Solitude
Originally scheduled for
April 24
There is a trend in contemporary thought that holds that
religion, and in particular Christianity, is "what a man does with
his solitude." The idea is that the ideal Christian should be
someone who is completely indistinguishable from the rest of the
population; this Christianity applies only when he is alone.
From the earliest days of the church we can see that this is
false.
·
From the founding of the Church at Pentecost, we have been one body.
The church has always been defined as the body of Christ; an
organized collection of saints.
·
Not only is this body organized, it is public. The world around the
church was quite aware of its existence — and for the first 300
years or so attempted to stamp it out as vigorously as possible.
·
One key characteristic of this body is that it is made with the
decision: you are either in the church or out, you are either a
Christian or you are not.
Communion reflects this. We see the same characteristics in the
Lord's Supper that we do in the church as a whole.
·
We take Communion together. It is not something that we go into a
dark room and take by ourselves. There is no sense to solitary
Communion.
·
We take Communion publicly. Anyone who walked into the building
would see what was going on. Any visitor to the church would know
that this was happening.
·
Communion is a sign that we are in the church; we are not on the
fence.
We need to examine ourselves in this. Before you partake of
Communion today, ask yourselves some questions:
·
Does your lifestyle identify you as a Christian? Can the rest of the
world see from the way you act that you are indeed a member of the
church?
·
Do your words show that you are a Christian? Is your speech seasoned
with salt, or is it just like the rest of the world's?
In short, does the world know that you are “in?” And do
you?
