467. EPH 3:15. CHRIST’S CHURCH A FAMILY

Eph_3:15. Christ’s Church A Family

"The whole family in heaven and earth."’97Eph_3:15.

It is the very nature of sin to di vide and to destroy. Sin sowed the seeds of anarchy and rebellion in heaven, and thus separated the sinning angels from those who retained their original holiness and glory. Sin separated the first of our race from God, and expelled the transgressors from the peaceful abode of the earthly paradise. Sin separated the hearts of the first brethren, and having filled the breast of Cain with hate and envy, caused him to slay his brother. From that period to the present, sin has been separating men from God, and from each other. Religion is designed to counteract this evil, malevolent work of sin. It brings together, reconciles, unites in bonds of amity and love. It reconciles earth and heaven, man and God, and man with man. It has one anthem which it sings, "Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth," &c. Our subject leads us to contemplate one scene wherein this is exhibited, and that is in the church below, which is likened in the text to one family. "The whole family in earth." Let us consider,

I. Who constitute the Divine Family on Earth.

Now it appears that there is one text that clearly settles this point,’97Joh_1:12.

1. Faith then is the first evidence.

"For we are all the children of God by faith," Gal_3:26.

2. Regeneration is the second evidence.

"To as many as received him he gave power," &c. "Blessed be the God and Father," &c. "Except a man be born again," &c. "If any man be in Christ," &c.

3. Obedience is a third evidence.

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God," &c. "For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."

4. Love is the fourth evidence.

"We know that we have passed," &c. "Every one that loveth is born of God," &c., 1Jn_3:16.

These are essential evidences, nothing can make up for the want of these, and they will always go together. We shall see then that this family may include,

(1) Persons of all countries.

(2) Of different parties and sects.

(3) Of various creeds.

(4) Of all classes, rich and poor, learned and illiterate. Diversity of opinions seem the necessary result of the present state of things. Such as, (i.) Different grades of mental powers, (ii.) Different amount of knowledge, (iii.) Different mode of education, (iv.) Different media of receiving our ideas and religious impressions.

II. That which forms the Bond of Unity so as to constitute Believers one Family.

1. They have one common Father, 1Jn_5:14.

In prayer they all address the same Being, and by the same appellation, "Father"’97"Our," not mine merely.

2. They have one common nature.

This does not render absolute likeness necessary any more than the resemblance of all of the same species. New nature The spiritual principle’97that which is from heaven’97heavenly.

3. They have one common Saviour.

Jesus Christ. "No other name given," &c. His merits only avail. He is the sacrifice. The one intercessor. One mediator, &c., 1Ti_2:3-6, and iv. 10.

4. They have one common spirit.

There is only one spirit to dwell in them to guide’97cheer’97comfort’97sanctify, &c.

5. They have one common revelation.

The scriptures are the gift of Christ to his church. As such they are common property. Belong to all, both ministers and people. They have each and all a right to read, and study, and judge for themselves. All the same right of appeal "To the law," &c.

6. They have one common treasury.

The inexhaustible mine of the precious promises; every promise is the common portion of every child of God.

7. They have one common home.

All sailing to the same haven. All bound for the same Canaan. Hence Christ said, "They shall come from the east," &c., Rev_7:9.

But this would encroach on the other part of the text.

Application

1. In contemplating the whole family of God upon earth we are called to mourn over its imperfections, and its divisions, yet it is clear it will only be in the millennial state of things when these will be removed.

2. We learn the great necessity of Christian forbearance and love. This does not imply indifference to any truth, or that we shut our eyes against error. But let us always distinguish between the person. and the error. And let us rejoice with men for the truth they hold, and always be found speaking the truth in love 3. Mutual kindness and sympathy should distinguish the same family, "Love as brethren," &c. "Bear ye one another’s burdens," &c.

4. Let it lead us to personal examination. Are we members of this family, &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS