Communion, oneness (unity) and a new wine skin: these are three things that The Church should continue to highlight in our journey to receiving the fullness of Christ. Christ is unceasingly calling His bride, The whole Church, into His fullness.
How do the people of God venture deeper into the revelation of Christ to receive more of His fullness? We do this by partaking in communion and unity. Then, we position ourselves for a new wine skin (2 Cor. 3:18; Matt. 9:17) Those who have a new wine skin (capacity to receive the things of God) can receive more of his “wine” - His “new wine” – that is more of His fullness.
Oneness (unity) and communion are mentioned together in 1 Corinthians 10:16- 17. It reads:
“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? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.”
The scripture speaks of how when we come together in unity by the partaking of communion, we in turn, display the oneness of Christ and the oneness of His body, The Church (*1 Corinthians 12:12). Let’s read some scripture from Ephesians chapter four:
- “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”
Here in Ephesians four we find The Church must come together in the “unity of the faith.” and in “the knowledge of the Son of God.” in order to grow in the measure of Christ’s fullness. Therefore, my encouragement to the Church is that we set aside natural differences. Then, set our minds to be united with others in the communion and unity of Christ (unity in the Spirit).
If we do so, we will be given a new wine skin, receiving the sweeter things of God (His new wine), and we will grow deeper in love with Him as we discover the sweetness of His fullness.