We are all familiar with the well known benediction:
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14 KJV
According to Strong's the word communion is taken from the Greek: koinonia meaning: partnership, that is, (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction: - (to) communicate (-ation), communion, (contri-), distribution, fellowship.
From koinonos: a sharer, that is, associate: - companion, X fellowship, partaker, partner.
From Thayer's Concordance we find it defined as the act of using a thing in common
We can see from the meanings that we are looked on by God as being in partnership with the Holy Spirit. Partnership with God is another of the many figures God uses to illustrate His relationship with us and to us!
So what the meaning of partner?
2.a. A legal contract entered into by two or more persons in which each agrees to furnish a part of the capital and labor for a business enterprise, and by which each shares a fixed proportion of profits and losses.
b. The persons bound by such a contract.
3. A relationship between individuals or groups that is characterized by mutual cooperation and responsibility, as for the achievement of a specified goal: (Free Dictionary)
This life as a Christian is a demanding one, what with all its requirements for holiness, righteousness, sanctification, perfection, prayer, discipline, faithfulness etc: Just look at some of the demands commands or reprimands:
BE PERFECT! Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48 KJV
BE HOLY! But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:15-16 KJV
BE THANKFUL ALWAYS! Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Ephesians 5:20 KJV
GIVE THANKS IN EVERYTHING! In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV
STOP WORRYING! Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6 KJV
PRAY ALWAYS! Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV
AND THE LIST GOES ON....!!! We have all experienced the reproaching reality of failure followed by pitiful pretense at covering up, followed by the stupid striving at excusing ourselves, culminating in the bullish brazenness of an offensive defensive!
At best our personal resources are woefully inadequate and pitiful! IF ONLY we could get some intensive care and support here, we may just be able to do this thing right! The good news is that we have such help available, for in our covenant relationship with God we have spiritually and literally entered into a partnership with God!
God never meant for you to be a sole trader!
Imagine if you have Jesus in the flesh living with you and being your constant company; being there to support and strengthen and guide you with His unlimited power! Now face to the reality that He HAS given you ONE, just like Himself to not only live WITH you, but to also live WITHIN you! He, the Holy Spirit is exactly like Jesus and He's there to be our senior partner.
AGAIN God never meant for you to be a sole trader!
In this covenant or partnership you bring to the table that which you have, to ensure success of the business. Here we see our spiritual bankruptcy contrasted with His eternal riches!
All we can contribute is ourselves redeemed by His Blood, with a commitment to honor the contract.
In a personal business one commits to making it a success, and often plugs in hours far beyond that of an ordinary employer. When we see ourselves as partners in business albeit the junior partner, we will endeavor to make that business succeed, for that's when we will see returns on our investments. It is important that we realize and see ourselves as the junior partner, and the Holy Spirit as the Senior Partner. Anytime we take on the leadership role in this business and start making the decisions instead of listening to Him, we are setting ourselves up for failure!
So it is vital that we recognize
1. THE ROLES OF THE PARTNERS. The Holy Spirit may be a secret Partner but He is certainly not a silent or sleeping one. We should not ever be trying to make use of Him but rather let Him make use of us!
2. THE RULES OF THE PARTNERSHIP. The Word of God in its entirety encompasses the partnership agreement. All transactions must align with this agreement making it vital that we familiarize ourselves thoroughly with the contents.
3. THE RESOURCES OF THE PARTNERS. All we have is our Blood redeemed, obedient and cooperative personality. The Holy Spirit brings with Him ...the unsearchable riches of Christ; Ephesians 3:8 KJV and all needs will be supplied according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 KJV
4. THE REWARDS OF THE PARTNERSHIP. As we be diligent in business, and honor Him as Senior Partner, great and exceeding is our reward!
In times past God entered into specific partnerships with individuals such as Abraham, who for his faithfulness was called the Friend of God; Joseph, of whom it was repeatedly said that God was with Him; Moses, who spoke with God face to face, David, a man after God’s own heart.
Yet in this generation, God has made a covenant with us that is superior to all previous covenants, one which is everlasting. In this covenant He has made available, at our disposal, all of heaven wrapped up in the astonishing, breathtaking, commanding, delightful person of His Son. The richest person or nation in this world is pitifully beggarly in description compared to riches of Christ. The Holy Spirit Who is in partnership with us, has all this wealth at His disposal and brings it with Him to the table.
Many times we hear preachers on the air promoting becoming partners with them and their ministry. We are asked to sow seeds and promised rich returns. We should be wise and only sow into good ground. For us to determine good ground we need to examine every aspect of that ministry by comparing it with what God says in His Word.
The Bible says Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1 KJV
Also Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 KJV
The giving of tithes and offerings is not like investing money through a bank but more like planting a seed. Whereas in banking, the bank is responsible for investing and increasing your deposit through interest while you do nothing, in planting a seed you are responsible for preparation of soil, planting and attending to plant and ground. The thing you cannot do is give life to what you planted, for that rests in the capable hands of God.
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:10-11 KJV
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 KJV
As covenant partners with God we have every right to expect Him to faithfully keep all His promises and agreements, as long as we remain faithful in our commitment to the partnership!
As we remain faithful to our commitments we will find Him faithful to us, and those things we thought were so difficult become doable, and instead of hanging like a dead weight pulling us down, we will actually begin to delight in doing them, because our Senior Partner keeps on supplying to our faithfulness!
Dwell much upon this partnership with the Son of God, unto which you have been called: for all your hope lies there. You can never be poor while Jesus is rich, since you are in one firm with Him. Want can never assail you, since you are joint-proprietor with Him who is Possessor of Heaven and earth. You can never fail; for though one of the partners in the firm is as poor as a church mouse, and in himself an utter bankrupt, who could not pay even a small amount of his heavy debts, yet the other partner is inconceivably, inexhaustibly rich. In such partnership you are raised above the depression of the times, the changes of the future, and the shock of the end of all things. The Lord has called you into the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ, and by that act and deed He has put you into the place of infallible safeguard.— Charles Spurgeon All of Grace
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. 2 Corinthians 9:15 KJV
