Union and Communion
What God wants in the believer, is a continuing walk,….a developing union with every forward step we take.
When we are in union with HIm, there are no divisions or hidden strife with Him.
The object of union with Christ Jesus, is communion in the Spirit. (communion is partnership with the Holy Spirit….so that in every day, in every act we are yielding to His guidance,)
(Every believer talks with God, in prayer, in cries in the night, for deliverances, and intercessions.
But this “communion” is spirit to Holy Spirit, within. It is the nestling of our hearts and heads against the shoulder of the strength of God….and telling the unbridled truth about yourself to God: both in confession of sin, and in praise for victory, and in everyday trials and attitudes.)
Communion is developed only by our increased identification with Christ….and His honor and glory.
When we behold the King, we are transformed into the same character of our King. We become Christ-like.
Then His glorious life can be seen in our personalities. For we each are a unique personality.
We each can draw as close to Jesus. We each can have union and communion with Him.
Peter is such a perfect example of this increased union and communion…He was a fisherman, called by Jesus to follow Him….and when He did…..he was quick to speak his mind
“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God” Matthew 16:15-17
When Jesus said He was the bread of Life, and many became offended…Jesus asked his apostles, Will ye also go away? Peter quickly replies: Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.” John 6:68
On the Mt. of transfiguration: “And Peter answered and said to Jesus…For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.” Mark 9:5-6
When Jesus said, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. “Then answered Peter …Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?” Matthew 19:24-27
When Jesus told them plainly of the elders and chief priests would take and crucify Him…”then Peter took Him and rebuked Him,…Be it far from Thee, Lord: this shall not be…” For which Jesus corrected Peter…for the cross was God’s Will.
When Jesus said that all would desert Him….Peter quickly spoke up and said “Though I should die with Thee, yet will I not deny Thee.”
And Peter’s actions…when he walked on water to go to Jesus…
…when he cut off the servant’s ear in the garden of Gethsemane.
…when he ran to the tomb, even though he did not believe yet that Jesus was resurrected….and more.
Peter was impulsive, quick to speak…headstrong at times, always trying to figure things out…..but always following on after the Lord.
And Jesus never tired of guiding him,…and warning him. Bringing him closer to Him, for Peter was privileged to be in the inner three.
It is very true, the closer we are to Jesus, the safer we are….no matter our personalities….for they will begin to take on the personalities of Christ Jesus.
(In contrast, you never read….in any of the gospels, that Judas sought to get more knowledge from Jesus, or spend more time in listening to Jesus….or, even that Jesus ever corrected him, except with the rest of the disciples.
How this shows that the Lord’s time, Word, and corrections are so valuable to us! If He left us to ourselves….where would we be!)
Again I want to stress that Peter truly loved the Lord…..and though he sinned greatly….he was forgiven abundantly.
We all know that Peter was chosen to speak to the crowd at Pentecost….while the other disciples interpreted his message in other languages to the many that were gathered (Acts 2:6,14)….but though that was a great day….
…..the work had just begun.
There was services to have, seeing to the needs of the church….there was persecution to stand against….all in Jesus name.
Peter opened the church to Gentiles….so that you and I could be admitted into the church.
And at the end of his ministry…Peter wrote about our speech:
1 Peter 4:11 “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God (according to God’s Will); if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth; that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to Whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Peter wrote about persecution:
1 Peter 1:7 “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ;”
Notice that the theme of all is….the glory of God in Christ Jesus. Peter had come a long way.
Union in all our onward steps with the Lord, leads to communion of the Spirit.
It is a partnership, if you will, of us and the Holy Spirit…working together for our lives and work…to be, only for the honor and glory of God.
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 