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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCharles Buck Theological Dictionary: COMMUNION (2)
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Spiritual or divine, is that delightful fellowship and intercourse which a believer enjoys with God. It is founded upon union with him, and consists in a communication of divine graces from him, and a return of devout affections to him. The believer holds communion with God in his works, in his word, and in his ordinances. There can be no communion without likeness, nor without Christ as the mediator. Some distinguished communion with God from the sense and feeling of it; that is, that we may hold communion with him without raptures of Joy; and that a saint, even under desertion, may have communion with God as really, though not so feelingly, as at any other time. This communion cannot be interrupted by any local mutations: it is far superior to all outward services and ordinances whatsoever; it concerns the whole soul, all the affections, faculties, and motions of it being under its influence: it is only imperfect in this life, and will be unspeakably enlarged in a better world.
In order to keep up communion with God, we should inform ourselves of his will, Joh_5:39. be often in prayer, Luk_8:1-56. embrace opportunities of retirement, Psa_104:34. watch against a vain, trifling, and volatile spirit, Eph_4:30. and be found in the use of all the means of grace, Psa_27:4. the advantages of communion with God are, deadness to the world, Php_3:8. patience under trouble, Job_1:22. fortitude in danger, Psa_27:1. gratitude for mercies received, Psa_103:1. direction under difficulties, Pro_3:5-6. peace and joy in opposition, Psa 16:23. happiness in death, Psa_23:4. and an earnest desire for heaven and glory, 2Ti_4:7-8.
See Shaw's Immanuel; Owen and Henry on Communion; and article FELLOWSHIP.