Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith… (Hebrews 12:1-2)

The late Bob MacLean, who was one of my professors at Queen’s Theological College in the early 80’s, was known to pepper his sermons liberally with quotes from other preachers, theologians and other church leaders.

A number of students (including me) voiced our concern that he was perhaps borrowing too heavily on the insights and illustrations of others and not coming up with enough original material. Were we implying that he was perhaps slacking off? (Maybe).

His response? “Membership has its benefits.” Seeing the puzzled looks on our faces, he went on to explain that when you become a member of Christ’s body, the Church, you are now part of the communion of saints. Therefore, you now have access to everything that was available through other “saints” in the communion.

Lifting quotes from their works, therefore, was not to be considered borrowing or stealing from them. It was simply taking advantage of the rich treasure trove of revelation that was simply there for the taking.

Needless to say, we had never heard the communion of saints explained quite that way before. We had always visualized the “cloud of witnesses” as millions of Casper-like entities in the atmosphere, surrounding us and egging us on to run the race and finish it. (See the DWOD for Oct. 16, 2012).

Truth be told, not everyone bought into his explanation either. At least not right away. Including moi.

It was only later in life and ministry, with the benefit of hindsight that the truth behind his insight became apparent to me.

Put simply, there was no reason for me to ever be alone or feel despondent while walking on the Christian journey.

All I had to do was open up the Bible and I was guaranteed to find someone who had experienced the same feelings and asked the same questions, even if we did not share the exact same circumstances.

When I could not find someone in the pages of the Bible, all I had to do was turn to the white pages of my telephone directory. There was often someone in my local church who could relate. 

If the local church could not provide an adequate match, the wider Christian community would! In the early days, my awareness of those outside my local church came through testimonies shared by someone in person, in a magazine, a book, radio or television. Today, of course, the internet has extended this pool of available witnesses exponentially.

Most of my questions were answered by another in the communion of saints—be it a mature Christian, an elder, pastor, visiting minister, professor or author—either in person or online.

Most recently, when I was a bit tired and worn out from writing DWOD’s every day during the 21 Days of At.One.Ment Fast, the saints came marching in. Darren Canning, Barry Adams, Os Hillman, Lance Wallnau and Kenneth Copeland carried the day—for 13 days straight…praise God!

Bob MacLean was right. Membership has its benefits.

Dear DWOD friend, would you kindly share with the rest of us how you too have experienced the communion of saints in your Christian walk? Thanks in advance.

Your comment might just turn out to be the silver lining in the cloud of witnesses for someone who reads it today.