Paul ends his second letter to the church in Corinth with a blessing. He prays that the Corinthian believers will experience the grace of Jesus, the love of God, and the communion or fellowship of the Holy Spirit. I have read these words many times but, as I read them today, something stood out to me. This verse is not just a blessing, but it also speaks to community with the Trinity and how we can obtain it.
When God created man, He intended for man to be in a relationship with Him. His desire was that man would enjoy fellowship, or community, with Him. That relationship, that fellowship was broken when sin entered the world through man’s disobedience. But God still desired that man have that fellowship with Him, so He provided a way for it to happen. That is what I see put very simply in the words of 2 Corinthians 13:14.
Our restored fellowship with the triune God begins with Jesus’ grace. In obedience to the Father, Jesus came to earth and gave His life as a ransom for our sins. Although He was without sin, He took upon Himself the punishment that we deserved so that we could have eternal life. He provided for our salvation through His amazing grace (Ephesians 2:18).
The restoration of our fellowship with God also comes from the love of the Father. While God is righteous and just God and He knew that we deserved the punishment for our sin, He is also a loving Father. His love for us is so great that He gave His Son to take our place and pay the penalty for our sin. He did this so that those who believe in His Son may have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Jesus’ grace and the love of God have provided the means for us to have eternal fellowship with God in heaven. But, we can also enjoy that fellowship with God now right here on earth through the Holy Spirit. When we believe in Jesus and accept Him as our Lord and Savior, when we confess our sins and turn away from them, we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us. He comes alongside us and walks with us. He guides us and speaks to us. When we have accepted the grace of Jesus and the love of the Father, we have fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Our community with the Trinity is restored.
Lord, thank You for Your great and immeasurable love. Thank You for the amazing grace of Your Son, Jesus. And thank You for the enduring and comforting fellowship of the Holy Spirit. May Jesus’ grace, Your love, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of us. Amen!
A Worshiper's Journal 