Misthology

This is a meal of faith, right? The gluten and the tannins, the bite and the sip, these are only as good as we eat and drink by faith in Christ. We receive the elements as a celebration of faith, and as we commune our faith is stimulated.

“Without faith it is impossible to please [God].” This reality comes near the beginning of Hebrews 11, but the sentence continues.

Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

We are drawing near to God at this table, right? Those who draw near must believe. The ontology is one thing: God is. Whatever else we learn about God, His nature is being. God exists.

But included in this believing is a second part of what kind of God He is. This is misthology, from the Greek word misthos meaning “reward.” It means “in affirmation of laudable conduct” (BAGD).

God is and God rewards. We believe and we seek Him expecting that He fulfills His promises.

Come to the Lord’s Table in faith, expecting that He will bless you through the “cup of blessing” and renew your “participation in the body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:16). Draw near in faith, God rewards those who seek Him.