Rev J R Tallach
Christ was “made of a woman, made under the law . . . that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Gal 4:4,5). This fellowship is confirmed by the calling of God as seen in 1 Corinthians 1:9: “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord”. Believers are called by the Father to have fellowship with the Son.
This fellowship is represented as eating together: “Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with Me” (Rev 3:20). In that shared meal there is a giving and a receiving. The Song of Solomon uses the same figure repeatedly and to the same effect: “Let my beloved come into His garden and eat His pleasant fruits” (Song 4:16). Again Christ replies, “I am come into My garden, My sister, My spouse: I have gathered My myrrh with My spice: I have eaten My honeycomb with My honey; I have drunk My wine with My milk” (Song 5:1). The union of Christ and the Church by the same Spirit is reflected in the likeness and conformity that exists between these two. Christ is the “lily of the valley” (Song 2:1), and Christ says of His people: “As the lily among thorns, so is My love among the daughters” (Song 2:2). Both Lord and believers are likened to lilies.
This grace by which the believer is brought into fellowship is purchased grace. It was purchased by the Redeemer on the basis of His obedience, of His sufferings unto death; and His continuing intercession is on this basis also. Owen speaks, under three heads, of the grace given: acceptance with God, sanctification from God, and privileges with and before God.
(1) Having received Christ, the cause of the enmity is removed and righteousness is bestowed. This involves the removal of defilement: “Such were some of you: but ye are washed” (1 Cor 6:11); “The blood of Jesus Christ . . . cleanseth us from all sin” (1 Jn 1:7). Whatever is of Himself remains; whatever is of self or the flesh or unbelief (“wood, hay, stubble”) He consumes away.
(2) He bestows cleanness as a grace. The Spirit of holiness is made unto us sanctification (1 Cor 1:30). By procuring sanctification for us, He also bestows habitual grace. This is effected by the formation of faith in the heart, which is light to the understanding, obedience to the will and love in the affections. In actual performance, though all these are effected, we can do
1The previous part of this Theological Conference appeared last month. It dealt with the believer’s fellowship with God the Father.
nothing without Christ and He must work in us “to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Phil 2:13).
(3) The privilege of the believer is fellowship with the Lord; and adoption and all other favours and blessings arise from this. Owen, having in view this fellowship with the Redeemer, commends us rebels to pursue it while we are on our short, uncertain pilgrimage. “He that shall come, will come, and will not tarry” (Heb 10:37). “The Spirit and the bride say, Come: and let him that heareth say, Come . . . Even so come, Lord Jesus” (Rev 22:17,20).