Knit Together

Today I would like to look at an excerpt from Pilgrims Progress written by John Bunyan. This excerpt is from Part 4- The Valley of the Shadow of Death.

When Christian had traveled in this despondent condition for a considerable time, he thought he heard the voice of a man saying, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”9

 Then was he glad; and for the following reasons: First, he gathered from this statement that others who feared God were in this valley with him. Secondly, he perceived that God was with them, though they were in a dark and dismal state. “And why would he not be with me,” he thought, “even though I cannot comprehend it because of the obstacle that this place presents?”10

Thirdly, he hoped to have company as soon as possible, if he could catch up to some of them. So he went on and called to a man who was ahead of him. But the man did not know what to answer, because he also thought that he was alone. After a time, the day broke. Then Christian said, “He has turned the shadow of death into the morning.”11

As Christian went through a hard trial and was sorely tempted he felt alone. He was encouraged by voice of another saint proclaiming God’s truth. The other man also felt alone; both men felt isolated in the Valley of the Shadow of Death. This hit home with me as I tend to withdraw, feeling alone, rather than sharing my burdens with others. By grace, the Lord nudges me toward the church when I am struggling. Yet, in my stubbornness I often reach a critical place before I reach out to others for prayer and counsel. For the sake of clarity, I am referring to the church at large, not specific congregations, although these concepts apply to congregations as well.

God calls us to bear one another’s burdens and God calls us to seek and share counsel (Galatians 6:2, Proverbs 1:5.) Just as I am called to bear the burdens of my brethren, I am called to share my burdens with my brethren. God made us for community and adopted us into his family. God’s people are united through the Spirit of Christ and are knit together in love (Colossians 2:2.)

Although I struggle to share my burdens with others, God graciously uses the church to encourage me. Sometimes a friend will call just when I need to talk. Other times, friends will share a Christian article (godly counsel) or a Bible verse on social media that speaks right to my need. In public worship, the Lord encourages me through teaching which helps me progress through my pilgrimage, difficult though it may be. I am encouraged by hymns that glorify and praise the Lord, hymns that were written by saints by the grace of God. I am encouraged as I gather with the body of Christ to worship our King. I am encouraged by the godly examples of my brothers and sisters. When I am sad, I can rejoice as others around me rejoice in Christ (Romans 12:15.)

I imagine the enemy wants not only to sever our relationship with God, but to also isolate us from other Christians, those who are born of one Spirit, born of God. Satan wants to cut us off from those who share our burdens, pray for us, and weep with us. He wants us torn from saints who hold a wealth of God’s wisdom and are willing to share it; torn from saints who give sacrificially to us; torn from saints who hold us accountable; torn from saints who encourage and comfort us; torn from saints with whom we can share our sin struggles and ask to pray for us; torn from saints who will confront us in a spirit of meekness when they see sins in us (Galatians 6:1, James 5:16.)  A single soldier is much weaker than one surrounded by ranks. Also, the ranks are weaker if they are short a soldier. As members of the body of Christ, all of the things listed above that the church gives to us, we are to give to the church. Each member is an important part of the church.  

Glory be to God. Satan cannot successfully tear apart the church. What God hath put together, no man can put asunder. Christ will not sever his marriage to his church. The body will not be severed from the Head. Nor will the body be dismembered. Although sin can wreak havoc and an arm may feel like it is being tugged off or a leg may think it stands alone, the grace of God has knit the body together and it cannot be ripped apart. Through the Holy Spirit, we have been made one, united with Christ and with a family of saints around the world.

Although God knits the church together and uses the church to aid in our sanctification, our foundation is Christ. Our hope is in Christ alone.  We must take care not to put our hope in the church. “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22

The Church’s One Foundation by Samuel John Stone is a hymn I love. It wonderfully proclaims the church’s hope in Christ.  

Original Trinity Hymnal, #270

The church's one Foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is his new creation
By water and the Word:
From heav'n he came and sought her
To be his holy bride;
With his own blood he bought her,
And for her life he died.

Elect from ev'ry nation,
Yet one o'er all the earth,
Her charter of salvation
One Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy Name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food.
And to one hope she presses,
With ev'ry grace endued.

Though with a scornful wonder
Men see her sore oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder,
By heresies distressed,
Yet saints their watch are keeping,
Their cry goes up, "How long?"
And soon the night of weeping
Shall be the morn of song.

The church shall never perish!
Her dear Lord to defend,
To guide, sustain and cherish
Is with her to the end;
Though there be those that hate her,
And false sons in her pale,
Against or foe or traitor
She ever shall prevail.

'Mid toil and tribulation,
And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation
Of peace for evermore;
Till with the vision glorious
Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great church victorious
Shall be the church at rest.

Yet she on earth hath union
With the God the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion
With those whose rest is won:
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we,
Like them, the meek and lowly,
On high may dwell with thee.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, Ephesians 1:3