Simultaneously an Individual and in Communion

Lutherans often speak (rightly) of the fact that we are "Simul Justus et Peccator," which is to say "simultaneously justified and sinner" or "at the same time righteous and sinful."

This dichotomy speaks the truth of what God has revealed in His Word, that we are justified (declared not guilty) before God for the sake of Christ, yet we remain sinners until the day that we die. (See Romans 7).

But there's another dichotomy described in Scripture that people today, especially Americans, tend not to understand.  Since I'm not away of any cool Latin phrases to describe this, "simultaneously an individual and in communion."

Here's what I mean: As Christians we are always individuals.  God created each person individually and unique.  This is a very basic part of what it means to be a human.

And it is important in the church to affirm the reality of the individual.

•  In the Apostles' Creed we say "I believe" because each person is confessing a personal faith.  
• In Holy Baptism the individual is baptized into Christ.  
• In the Lord's Supper the individual receives the bread that is Christ's body and the wine that is Christ's blood.

 However, we are not only individuals.  In the Christian faith we are made part of a community.

•  When we confess the Apostles' Creed we are not confessing some faith that we came to on our own, but it is the church's confession that has been confessed and believed throughout the history of Christianity.  
• When we are baptized, we are baptized into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13).
• When we receive the Lord's Supper, it is in communion with those who are part of the church.

If we rightly understand this dichotomy, it will help us to do away with many unbiblical attitudes commonly held by American Christians today such as...

• the idea that Christianity is just between "me and Jesus."
• This denies the truth of Scripture that believers are united in Christ, accountable to each other, and necessary for one another.

• the idea that being a part of a church is all that is necessary.
• This isn't as common these days, but you still run into people who believe that their salvation is secure because they have their name on the books of a church, though they haven't been a part of that church, believed what that church teaches, or thought much about that church in many years.

• the idea that the Lord's Supper is only something between the believer and God.
• the idea that it isn't a big deal whether we are reconciled to a fellow believer.
• St. Paul thought that it was so important that he sent Onesimus back to his slaveholder Philemon after Onesimus had come to faith in Christ so that Onesimus and Philemon could be reconciled.

• the idea that we can worship God by ourselves, or with only our family, and don't need to be a part of a congregational gathering on Sundays (or whatever day the church so chooses to hold services).
• "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25)

As Americans we've generally go the individual thing down pat, but we struggle mightily with the concept that it isn't just between "me and Jesus" but between me and Jesus and every other member of Christ's church, but especially those who are members of the same congregation.  I pray that we consider this more, learn from God's Word, and see the blessings that God has for us in communion with Christ and one another!