1 Corinthians 10:16-17 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break… I. THE VISIBLE DIVERSITIES AMONG TRUE BELIEVERS. 1. The differences observable in God's people according to the dispensation under which they live. As in the natural world, both the opening dawn and the bright meridian acknowledge the same source of light, so in the spiritual world it is the same "Sun of Righteousness," whether it is flinging its dim rays over the dawn of patriarchal promise or lighting up the gospel times with glory. Hence we are to conclude that the apparent diversity between Jewish and Christian forms of worship or religious experience is merely a difference arising from the progressive character of the Divine disclosures and the advancing capacities of the human mind. 2. The inequalities of our several stations in life. God "would have all men to be saved." Hence rich and poor, young and old, may be "all partakers of that one bread," and yet all vary in their manifestations of religious character. This should enhance to us the law of Christian charity, which reminds us that men who seem "not to follow with us," may yet in spirit be truly of us and with us. 3. The diversities among good men which arise out of education, temperament, and intellectual endowments. Christianity has no war with the refinements of life; but it would be folly to assert that it may not exist without them. There are many rugged tempers which in the main are right towards God; and many gentle spirits who please everybody while they are displeasing God. The retaining of original characteristics may consist with a converted state. Where could we find two more opposite characters than Peter and John? And yet both had drunk into the same spirit; both had been "partakers of the one bread." 4. The diversities occasioned by the progressive character of religion itself. The "babe in Christ," from the moment he is made "partaker of the Divine nature," is as much a Christian as if he had arrived at "the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." In all its elementary properties the spark is the same as the flame; the green blade as the full-grown ear. II. WHEREIN THEY OUGHT AND ARE SEEN TO AGREE. "For we, being many, are" still "one bread and one body." The diversities of Christian character lie upon the surface; the uniformities are internal, and often discoverable only by the eye of God. And this was what was to be expected. The empire of Christ has more especial reference to the affections. There with unseen food He supports our fainting life, and makes us partaker of that "meat which the world knows not of." But since this meat is the same to all, and since we "all drink of the same spiritual drink," there must be some corresponding uniformity in the manifestations of spiritual life. We note in all good men — 1. A deep abasement, forced upon them by a consciousness of their own vileness and of their Maker's holiness. Difference of dispensation makes no difference in this respect. 2. The joys and hopes of Christian life. Their personal experience of these feelings may be little or much; but in their nature and tendency they must be the same. 3. An endeavour after increased sanctification; a desire to be more assimilated to the likeness of God.Conclusion: 1. Learn that however much the trees of the Lord's vineyard may differ in size, strength, age, and natural form, yet that every tree of the Lord's planting bears the same kind of fruit. 2. Wherefore, "if these things be in you and abound," happy are ye. (D. Moore, M.A.) Parallel Verses KJV: The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? |
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