(1) В¶ I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, (2) В¶ With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; (3) Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (4) There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (5) One Lord, one faith, one baptism, (6) One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
It is truly blessed always to trace effects to their cause. The Apostle having opened this chapter in a word of exhortation, takes effectual care at the same time, to show the Church how, and by what means, the blessed properties he recommends are to be accomplished. Not in any strength of our own, but from the gracious influences of the Spirit. It is well worthy the Reader's observation, that all the exhortations of the Gospel, are accompanied with this direction, that we may always seek strength in divine help, and trust not to human weakness. There is no possibility of mortifying the deeds of the flesh, but by the Spirit's strength. Paul knew this, and was as highly taught it as any man. And, therefore, he saith, I can do nothing of myself. But I can do all things through Christ, who strengtheneth me. Reader! it is blessed to know our own nothingness, that we may the more highly prize the Lord's all-sufficiency.
I desire the Reader's close attention to the beautiful account the Apostle hath here drawn of the Oneness and Unity of Christ and his Church. He takes up the figure of an human body by way of describing the whole, taken collectively as One, and the several parts which make up the individual members of it. And he draws from the whole the just and proper influence, which cannot but arise out of it, to the mutual comfort and welfare of all when the subject is considered in this oneness of character.
The Church is but One great whole. Christ is the glorious Head. Every member is united to him, and to each other. So that they are knit in one, all intimately linked in one common interest, and alike concerned for the happiness of each other.
But what I more particularly beg the Reader to remark in this place, (because it is what the Apostle is more particularly noting), is, that while the whole Church of God, in all the variety of the members of it, forms but one, the Holy Ghost is the great source giving life to all He who anointed and filled the Head, is the same which anoints and fills the members. And, this is one of the most blessed of all thoughts. Though You or I have ever so small portions of grace, yet what we have comes from the same Almighty Giver, and is part of the same nature in grace, as the Holy Ghost communicated to Christ himself. In Him, as a fountain. In us, his members as streams. For the Father gave not the Spirit by measure unto, him, John 3:34. But unto everyone of us is given grace, according unto the measure of the gift of Christ. Reader! do not for a moment lose sight of this! For what can be more blessed ? The same Spirit which dwelt in Christ's heart when on earth; yea, which dwells in Christ's heart now in heaven, (for it would be little short of blasphemy to say, that the Spirit which Jehovah said rested upon him, is departed from him. Isaiah 11:2.) dwells in ours. When once the Lord the Spirit, hath regenerated our spirit, there the Lord dwells forever. For so Christ said, He shall abide with you forever. John 14:16. So then the whole Church, when brought into spiritual union by the new-birth, with Christ the glorious Head, and with each other as members of his body; is actuated by the same Spirit, and made partaker of the same grace, however variously given by that Almighty Lord, who divideth to every man severally as he will. 1 Corinthians 12:11. Reader! pause over the sweet consideration, and ponder it well. How can a child of God do otherwise than well, be his exercises whatever they may, when he considers that while the same Spirit which dwells in us, dwells in Christ, acts in Him, and from Him in us; and the very prayers the Lord the Spirit teaches Christ's members to put up before the mercy-seat here on earth, are so many responses and echos to the intercession of Christ in heaven! Romans 8:26-27
I will detain the Reader no longer on this most blessed passage, than just to observe how blessedly the Holy Ghost is forever teaching the Church the grand fundamental doctrine of all our faith, the unity of the Divine essence, existing in a threefold character of Person. One God, Father, Son, and Spirit, is manifested by the oneness of design and agency, in all the revelations which Jehovah hath been pleased to make of himself. And the Lord makes a yet further display of himself, in the several revelations by which, his people shall know him, in being the God and Father of all because all acts of his are in a fatherly way. He hath from everlasting chosen the Church in Christ, predestinated the Church to a sonship in Christ, and brought all the children into their adoption-character in Christ. Hence he is known by them under those divine distinctions, as above all being not only great and Almighty in their - view, but above all in their affections, and praise, and delight. He is through all, for whatever blessings they receive of temporals, spirituals, and eternals, they eye Him through all. And he is in all, for, from the first call of awakening grace, until grace is finished in glory, they behold Him as the great Author. Pardoning, justifying, sanctifying grace, are given to everyone of Christ's mystical members, according to the measure of the gift of Christ. What a blessed view the whole opens!