However, it is also still true that CHRIST SAID HE WOULD NEVER LEAVE US NOR FORSAKE US. I believe HE IS IN US VIA HIS SPIRIT. It is still existential Biblical truth that HE NEEDS RETURNED TO HEAVEN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER THAT HOLY SPIRIT COULD DO HIS--CHRIST-IN-EVERY-BELIEVER WORK. There are mysteries involved. However, I think that much is clear. I'm not, at this stage of my growing out of the "terrible two's" overly dogmatic about every nth detail of "THE REAL PRESENCE" in the Lord's Supper issue. I can argue both sides of it, to SOME degree. My bias still is that CHRIST set it up as a commemoration rather than an existential magical moment. Holy Spirit already resides as Christ within every Believer. I am UTTERLY CONVINCED that the 'magical moment' industry that the Vatican edifice foists on the world is at best a grossly distorted into an ALMOST exclusivist gig that is a travesty against the broken Body and Blood of Christ. I can imagine that God is large enough, gracious enough and Merciful enough that HE WOULD STILL, nevertheless, meet many folks AT THAT POINT AND INSURE THAT ACCORDING TO THEIR FAITH--IT WAS MADE SO BE IT, UNTO THEM to some serious, real, Biblical degrees and ways. HE IS SOVEREIGN IN HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH INDIVIDUAL regardless of a lot of other stuff. I'm convinced that God is much, MUCH more intent on Holy Spirit dividing between the bone and the marrow within each Believer's heart, mind, soul and body in ways that produce spiritual growth and ultimately register in their conscious, moment by moment, daily, praying always, life. Coasting through the day on a magical moment with the Lord's Supper is NOT HIS focus, nor His way, imho. However, Pentecostals, Calvinists et al can also construct idolatrous magic moment talismans* in their own systems and habits, too. [*yes, I checked the spellling, for once. LOL]
There's a good measure of sobering truth in your words.
However, it is also still true that CHRIST SAID HE WOULD NEVER LEAVE US NOR FORSAKE US. I believe HE IS IN US VIA HIS SPIRIT.
It is still existential Biblical truth that HE NEEDS RETURNED TO HEAVEN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER THAT HOLY SPIRIT COULD DO HIS--CHRIST-IN-EVERY-BELIEVER WORK.
There are mysteries involved.
However, I think that much is clear. I'm not, at this stage of my growing out of the "terrible two's" overly dogmatic about every nth detail of "THE REAL PRESENCE" in the Lord's Supper issue. I can argue both sides of it, to SOME degree.
My bias still is that CHRIST set it up as a commemoration rather than an existential magical moment. Holy Spirit already resides as Christ within every Believer. I am UTTERLY CONVINCED that the 'magical moment' industry that the Vatican edifice foists on the world is at best a grossly distorted into an ALMOST exclusivist gig that is a travesty against the broken Body and Blood of Christ.
I can imagine that God is large enough, gracious enough and Merciful enough that HE WOULD STILL, nevertheless, meet many folks AT THAT POINT AND INSURE THAT ACCORDING TO THEIR FAITH--IT WAS MADE SO BE IT, UNTO THEM to some serious, real, Biblical degrees and ways.
HE IS SOVEREIGN IN HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH INDIVIDUAL regardless of a lot of other stuff.
I'm convinced that God is much, MUCH more intent on Holy Spirit dividing between the bone and the marrow within each Believer's heart, mind, soul and body in ways that produce spiritual growth and ultimately register in their conscious, moment by moment, daily, praying always, life.
Coasting through the day on a magical moment with the Lord's Supper is NOT HIS focus, nor His way, imho.
...
However, Pentecostals, Calvinists et al can also construct idolatrous magic moment talismans* in their own systems and habits, too. [*yes, I checked the spellling, for once. LOL]