That statement is wildly offensive to many Christians, but it doesn’t change its validity.
When Paul wrote, “Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the Body of Christ,” he dispelled all the “private” and “personal” nonsense.
Participation. It's tough to do community solo.
Participation in the Lord’s Supper (Eucharist, Communion, etc.) is not a religious ritual or ceremony, but a picture. It’s a picture of who God is as eternal Trinity of Father, Son, and Spirit. It’s a picture of what God intended for us in creating humanity in Their image and likeness. It’s a picture of what Immanuel came and died for.
The idea that we can have a relationship with Christ that is “private” and “personal” is the antithesis of Gospel-community; It’s completely incongruent with Scripture. It's not Christianity.
“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”
Reality rushes in when we interpret “love” and “hate,” not through the warped and subjective lenses of our egocentric, self-indulgent, materialistic, prosperity-gospel lives, but rather the sacrificial love of Jesus of Nazareth at Calvary.
Messiah, which means "Anointed One" (referring to His eternal and sovereign authority), didn’t come or die for our “personal” salvation or a “private” faith lived out exclusively in prayer closets, incense-filled sanctuaries or candle-lit cathedrals.
The sin of Eden was in striving for “private” and “personal.” To think Christ died to ensure the same is a farce. To assign His name to a religion that teaches such is truly an abomination.
He shed His blood and gave up His body for His Bride, the Gospel-community know as the Church. “...just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for Her.”
That’s what we celebrate. Together.
The idea that we can have a relationship with Christ that is “private” and “personal” is the antithesis of Gospel-community; It’s completely incongruent with Scripture. It's not Christianity.
“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”
Reality rushes in when we interpret “love” and “hate,” not through the warped and subjective lenses of our egocentric, self-indulgent, materialistic, prosperity-gospel lives, but rather the sacrificial love of Jesus of Nazareth at Calvary.
Messiah, which means "Anointed One" (referring to His eternal and sovereign authority), didn’t come or die for our “personal” salvation or a “private” faith lived out exclusively in prayer closets, incense-filled sanctuaries or candle-lit cathedrals.
The sin of Eden was in striving for “private” and “personal.” To think Christ died to ensure the same is a farce. To assign His name to a religion that teaches such is truly an abomination.
He shed His blood and gave up His body for His Bride, the Gospel-community know as the Church. “...just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for Her.”
That’s what we celebrate. Together.
Blessings,
-Kevin M. Kelley
aMostUnlikelyDisciple.com
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