The Great Benediction
By F. R. W. Kimberley
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"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen."
The final prayer and benediction ends a second letter to the church in Corinth by giving three great blessings to each member; the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ; the love of God; and the communion of the Holy Spirit.
A scriptural definition of grace sets it in contrast with the law. The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. While the law de-
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The interpretation of the law by the scribes and Pharisees was harsh. The religious leaders were proud, self-righteous, hard, cold, and hypocritical. Into this world Jesus came exhibiting a new interpretation. Of him, the apostle John could write, "We beheld his glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." What did they behold? Jesus mixing with every class of society, healing the sick, blessing little children, raising the dead, full of grace and truth. Grace is unmerited love. It is love in action. This gift of grace is ours to live out in Christian service. A free gift and a great blessing!
Second, Paul asks that "the love of God be with you all." After the letter is read and the book is closed, after the final service of the Lord's Day, on the way home and while the church is scattered, remember that it is an abiding prayer, "The love of God be with you." In all of our joys and sorrows, our problems and decisions, we need the love of God.
In the background of this beautiful earth, there is not only the power of God, but his love. The restful, pleasant green of the grass, trees and hedgerows, is followed by the wonderful variety of color in the flowers. In his progress and development man often spoils the beauty, but the love of God reveals the sea, lakes, hills and valleys, and in man himself the same love transforms, beautifying the life and opening eyes that are spiritually blind.
"Here is love; not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." "God commended his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). The apostle prays for Corinth, for every congregation, and every individual, to be filled with the wonderful love of God.
Thirdly, Paul seeks for them "the communion of the Holy Spirit." When we read of the congregation in Corinth we discover difficulties, divisions and human weaknesses, yet Paul gives this great three-fold gift bound together in the Godhead--grace, love and the companionship of the Holy Spirit. I sometimes feel that we dwell too long on our weaknesses, deploring our achievements for God, but forgetting that God works through us. However, in gaining knowledge of God's word and in the great work of building the Christian character we do need the help of the Holy Spirit. He is the administrator.
The Holy Spirit said, "Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them" (Acts 13:2). On arriving at the conclusion of the first great controversy between Jew and Gentile, Acts 15:28, reads: "For it seemeth good to the Holy Spirit, and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things." Note that the sequence places the Spirit first, then the human agents. They were led back to unity by the Holy Spirit. Today, more than ever, the church needs the gift of the Holy Spirit.
When we consider these three blessings from the triune God, we rejoice that Paul wrote, "Be with you all." No one is left out, but this wondrous gift needs our acceptance. It is for us to gratefully acknowledge the gift and live for our God as revealed in Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen."