The work of the Holy Spirit - pagina 600

XXVII.

The Communion "

of Gifts.

Now the is

end of the commandment

charity out of a pure heart, and

of a

good conscience, and

unfeigned."

—

i

Tim.

i.

of faith

5.

Communion of goods in Jemsalem was a symbol. It typified communion of the spiritual goods which constituted the real treasure of Jerusalem's saints. The other inhabitants of that city the

possessed houses,

fields, furniture, gold,

and

silver just as well as

the saints, and perhaps in greater abundance.

But the latter were which neither Jew, Roman, nor Greek possessed, viz., a treasure in heaven. The saints were holy, not in themselves, but through Him who had said, " Now are ye clean through the words which I have spoken unto you." The Lord had indeed ascended unto heaven, but only " to receive gifts for men j yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them." And this treasure was Christ Himself. Speaking of the contribution which was being collected in Macedonia, Achaia, and Corinth for the saints in Jemsalem, the apostle admonishes the Corinthian church to render thanks to God for a gift infinitely greater than the gold which was to be sent to Jerusalem and it is in this connection that he uses that captivating expression " unspeakable gift" which we received in the surrender to receive riches

;

—

—

of God's dear Son.

we have That He possesses them is their only comfort in life and death. But that they also possess Him, as their own heart's treasure, is to them source of all their wealth and luxury. The Catechism confesses, It is, therefore,

Him.

He

a mutual possession.

commtmion

therefore, ver>- correctly that the

of all in the fact that they are partakers of

The

Jesus has us, and

possesses the saints, and thej- possess Him.

gift is

of saints consists first

Him, and then of His gifts.

not without the Person, nor outside of the Person,

nor even before the Person.

The

saint partakes

first

of Christ,

and

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