[Jan. 13th, 1866.]
The Church is one, not in the monarchical sense, as Romanists believe; not in the sense of historical descent of an external organization, as Prelatists teach, but in the sense of a mystical body united to Christ their common head. The consequences of the union with Christ are,
I. Our Justification. We become partakers of his righteousness because that righteousness was vicarious, wrought out not for himself, but in the name and behalf of his people. It becomes theirs not in virtue of its being wrought for them, nor in virtue of the spiritual union between them and him, but because it is imputed to them. And it is imputed to them, if adults, as soon as they believe, and to infants as soon as they are united to Christ by the renewing of the Holy Ghost.
I. This righteousness is by covenant truly and properly ours. It avails for us as completely as though it had been wrought out by ourselves. 2. This righteousness is infinitely meritorious, because it is the righteousness of God. There is no more probability of a sinner’s being condemned, if this righteousness is imputed to him, than that Christ himself should be condemned. It renders the believer, therefore, absolutely and forever secure. 3. It secures not merely exemption from the penalty of transgression, but title to all the blessings of redemption. That God shall bestow on those who are justified eternal life and all that it implies, is as certain as that Adam would have lived had he not sinned. This is certain because demanded by the justice and fidelity of God.
II. The second effect of this union to Christ, which is common to all believers and tends to make them one body, is their sanctification. They become partakers of the divine life. They are raised from spiritual death, and the principle of life communicated to them is sustained and developed, 1. By the nourishment derived from the word and ordinances. 2. By fellowship with Christ; intercourse with him in acts of adoration, praise, prayer, confession and intercession. 3. By the intercommunion of the saints. As one member of the body is sustained and grows in virtue of the ministration of all the other members, so it is with the mystical body of Christ. 4. This supposes organic unity, and diversity of gifts; some apostles, some teachers; some have one gift, and some another. With regard to these Paul teaches, 1st. That this diversity is essential. 2d. That the position of each member is assigned by God, and not by himself or by the body. Hence, we infer, (a.) That each should be content. (b.) That all should sympathize, one with the others, and, (c.) That all should cordially co-operate. It is thus that the work of sanctification is carried on, not in the isolated individual, but in the soul as partaker of a common life, and a member of an organic whole. So in regard to the state, what would individual gifts and attainments be to a man isolated in an uninhabited land.
III. The third effect of this union to Christ, which pertains to the individual believer and to the Church as a whole, is security. No man can pluck them out of the hand of Christ. All given to him shall come to him, and he will raise them up at the last day. The gates of hell can never prevail against the Church. This security rests, 1. On the promise and covenant of God. 2. On the fact that Christ lives, and his life secures the life of the believer and of the Church. 3. On the fact that he has power in heaven and earth. 4. On the fact that he has a covenant right to the co-operation of the Holy Spirit, and because he has conquered sin and Satan.
IV. The fourth effect is the glorification of the believer and of the Church. This includes, 1. The resurrection of the body. 2. The full perfection of nature granted to all. 3. Exaltation to great dignity and power. 4. The external circumstances of their being. 5. Participation in the glory of Christ.
V. Evidences of union with Christ. These are the fruits of the Spirit.
VI. Duties to our fellow-believers as flowing from this union with Christ. 1. Love. 2. Sympathy. 3. Assistance. 4. Joy in their success. 5. Abstaining from envy or depreciation.
← 202. Praise · Contents · 204. Aggressive Character of Christianity →