The Pilgrim Path---Second Corinthians 4: 3

“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.”

COMMUNION PART II / Loving the Christ

“Our Lord Jesus, in the night wherein he was betrayed, instituted the sacrament of his body and blood, called the Lord’s Supper, to be observed in his church, unto the end of the world, for the perpetual remembrance of the sacrifice of himself in his death; the sealing all benefits thereof unto true believers, their spiritual nourishment and growth in him, their further engagement in and to all duties which they owe unto him; and, to be a bond and pledge of their communion with him, and with each other, as members of his mystical body.” Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 29, section 1

Some further notes gleaned from the Rev. Andrew Gray. The gist: quite a few hinderances why people have not fallen in love with the Living Christ. They may have been around the teaching and preaching concerning Him---yet no real affection? These people are everywhere (even in churches). They “seem” to have reasons for not having fallen in love with The Shepherd of Souls:

---I could not come to Christ, I fear he would not have me / OR---I have not the holiness to come to Him (of course, The LORD Jesus---if heard, has the Love to overcome such objections)

---I would not come---not sure of “any” need--- or any “value” in His offer (Unbelief)

---In most people, there is something within them--- that hinders them “making use” of the Gospel. Not today---and not for me at this juncture in my life (maybe later)

---Desperate worldly-mindedness blocks quite a few souls from “love” to the Son of God. Some person is loved more---some “thing” is loved more…Christ is of “little” count---in their calculations…

---There are many souls that have no love for the Son of God because they are not convinced in their own hearts that there is no other name under Heaven---by which they may be saved…

---Why should a soul love the Son of God---If they are a “stranger” to the fact that the “curse” of God is lying upon them for their sin?

---Why should people love the Son of God, when so often their aim is the approval of men---John 5: 44, “How can you believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor which cometh from God only?”

---At times Gospel “hearers” are not “lovers” of the Son of God---because their hearts are given to idols…

“Is there any in heaven that is comparable to Christ? Is there any that has transcendent worth that is in Him? Now, since He has no match, what ails you at Him? Does not your light say, O precious Christ, THOU are fairer than any sons of men? And yet do not your idols say, I am fairer? And there are some that are saying, O precious Christ! Thou art worth ten thousand of my idols; and yet your affections are more knit to your idols than to Christ.” Andrew Gray

“I am most gladly content that Christ breaketh all my idols in pieces; it hath put a new edge upon my blunted love to Christ. I see he is jealous of my love and will have all to himself.” Samuel Rutherford

Jesus, my great High Priest, offered His blood and died;

My guilty conscience seeks no sacrifice beside.

His powerful blood did once atone,

And now it pleads before the throne.

Isaac Watts, 1709

Grace and Peace in Jesus Christ Our Risen LORD, Pastor Jason