In the full measure of the blessing of Christ

Paul writes to the church in Rome about his hopes to come to them, on his way to Spain. His confidence is this: “I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.”

This isn’t an isolated point in the letter. As he began, Paul spoke of his longing to visit them and, again, was sure that doing so would mean “that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith” (1:12). And in 15:32 he adds that, if God wills he should spend time with them, it will be “with joy…and in your company [I will] be refreshed.”

Unity is a wonderful aspect of Christian experience - we are joined together, we love each other and want the best for every brother and sister - want to see each one growing in the Lord, knowing his presence. Being together is truly a blessing. Knowing his presence as we worship together. Knowing the joys of fellowship when we meet and spend time together. Tasting and seeing, in one another’s company, that the Lord is good.

But there is something more to what Paul refers to as “the full measure of the blessing of Christ.” In chapter 15 he has uppermost in his thoughts (actually, this has governed the whole letter) his aim to take the gospel to where it hasn’t yet reached. And he is so keen to do so in partnership with the church in Rome (they helping him on his way, refreshed and encouraged). It seems then that the blessing of Christ he is so sure he will know when he is able to come to them is the blessing of unity in the mission of the Messiah. Hearts and minds joined together in the Spirit as they seek to pray for and to live into God’s mission to all nations.

The unity he delights in - that we, too, are so privileged to share in - reaches something of a peak in their joint commitment to the Lord’s glory being magnified through all the world as his gospel bears fruit among all nations.

I think we sense that there is an extra dimension to our sense of unity as we pray for that, both locally and more broadly. As we ask the Lord to meet people in all their needs and to shine his light into their hearts, even through the darkest of circumstances. As we pray for his Spirit to cause his Word to come with power and deep conviction into the lives of those who don’t know him.

The full measure of the blessing of Christ - the fullness of his heart and his work to redeem, the love of God for the salvation of a numberless multitude. To seek that is such a privilege; it humbles and lifts our hearts in joy as we pray together.