Of all John Newton’s letters that I have abridged and paraphrased so far, this 24th of 41, perhaps, suffers the most by my hand. The original is so beautifully edifying, it should be read repeatedly and contemplatively.
“On Communion with God”
1. You asked my thoughts on communion with God, so despite many other worthy writings, I respond to you with a one-sheet reply.
2. Only true worshipers of God experience communion with Him, and only they truly know what it is. Others scoff in ignorance. Some professing Christians have said the communion mentioned in 1 John 1.3 was only for the apostolic times—a preposterous opinion. Are those justly charged with fanaticism who claim this communion with God today? Those who have experienced it know that they have as certainly as people know when they are enlightened and warmed by sunbeams.
3. Union precedes communion. An enemy of God must be reconciled to Him first, and this only happens through His Son Jesus Christ. Anyone who pretends otherwise is ignorant of God and of themselves. God is holy, and Christ is absolutely necessary as Mediator between God and sinners. Only when the Holy Spirit moves people to believe the gospel are they saved and united to Christ—in whom is God’s fullness and the treasures of divine wisdom, power and love, who is the temple where His glory dwells, who is their High Priest, and the living Head of His body, the Church, through whom they maintain communion with God. True Christians alone experience this, regardless of what others say.
4. Not only did Christ by His incarnation perfectly obey God’s commandments for them and atone for their sins, but He also, in His human form, made God approachable. The man Christ Jesus is now the ultimate object of the brotherly love He has planted within them. They can now relate to Him as Friend, Brother, and Husband.
5. It is by this saving union with God through Christ that they enjoy communion with Him, a fellowship known by all real Christians and that fluctuates in this life. In heaven it will be perfect, but not here and now, for many reasons, including their remaining sins and need for spiritual discipline. The Lord grants and withholds felt communion with Him for His glory and their good, though He never abandons them.
6. Their communion with God consists of two-way sharing in love, in intimacy, and in commitment.
7. In love—He conveys His personal and particular love to them in many ways when they pray and observe His ordinances. He makes Himself known to them beyond anything experienced by others. He opens their hearts to apprehend the greatness of His love in washing them from their sins, delivering them from the devil, and preparing them for an eternal kingdom. His love to them inspires theirs in return, so that they adore and delight in Him. He Himself is their best portion, making tolerable the deprivation of all other things, if that be their lot. One hour enjoying His favor becomes more valuable than all else besides. They love Him so much that they are ashamed their love is so pitifully small. They are eager to leave this world for glory where they shall see Him as He is and love Him perfectly.
8. In intimacy—He reveals His secrets to them, as one friend confides in another. He lets them in on His eternal plan for creation. He discloses the solid foundation of everything He purposes to do, and the loving grace behind His work to save His chosen people. He teaches them, in general, of His Providence with its rationale, along with the beauty of His commands, the way in which they should walk, and the nature of spiritual warfare, with the enemies and troubles they must confront, and how best to avoid them. On their part, they confide in Him, too. They tell Him plainly of their cares, fears, needs, and miseries, with more freedom than they can speak to any earthly friend. He never tires of them crying on His shoulder and asking for favors. And considering He is the King of kings, what a privilege this is for them! Fascinated and addicted to many things, unbelievers are amazed these devout ones are so uninterested, but if they only knew their blessings in communion with God, the mystery would vanish! They own the Pearl of great price.
9. In commitment—The Lord pursues their eternal happiness and His eternal glory as one. He makes every single thing in their lives to serve as a slave to their ultimate good. And by His grace, they are devoted to Him. They recognize they are no longer their own, but His, and they would have it no other way. It is their desire, joy, and glory to live for Him instead of themselves. He has won their hearts to be His own by making them willing through His power.
10. You see, in conversion, God changed their whole outlook. He straightened out their priorities. Now they aim above all for His glory, and His cause, and the true prosperity of His people, and the accomplishment of His will. If only these great ends are realized, they rejoice!
11. This is the spirit of a true Christian. May the Lord increase it in us and in all who love His name! Signed, JN.
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I have kept Newton’s modest use of third person pronouns though it is obvious that he himself experienced this communion he describes. Ω