738. EPH 4:12. THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH THE BODY OF CHRIST
Eph_4:12. The Christian Church The Body Of Christ
"The body of Christ."’97Eph_4:12.
The apostle is evidently referring in the text to the Church of God, which he denominates the body of Christ. This phrase he often uses in the same sense, Col_1:18; Rom_12:4, and this is largely carried out in his epistle to the Corinthians, 1Co_12:12, 1Co_12:31. Now this is a very striking, instructive, and beautiful similitude.
Christ in his body of flesh has passed into the heavens. He is no longer visible to the eye of sense, but the Church is now his representative body in the world; and the Church is responsible to Christ the Head for carrying out all his gracious purposes and designs. I need not enlarge on the nature of the Church the body of Christ, which confessedly includes all those who are spiritually united to him by living faith. But I wish to observe some points of importance connected with the Church as the body of the Redeemer. Observe,
I. Its visibility.
A body is visible. So was Christ’s body. Men beheld it; it sojourned with mankind, &c. Now the essence of religion is unseen by the eye of mortals. But the evidences of its existence are ever palpable and manifest. So with the true Church of Christ, it is the visible body of Christ. Described as an elevated city,’97a public light’97a distinguished building’97a glorious kingdom. To show forth the praises, &c. Separated and distinguished from the world and yet in it. Visible to God, to angels, to devils, and to men.
II. It is a living body.
Not an effigy or corpse, but the living body of Christ. Now the life of the body is the spirit of Christ. The spirit which formed Christ the Living Redeemer, that anointed him, that dwelt in him without measure, that raised him from the dead, which he poured out on the day of Pentecost. This spirit he has given to be the life of the body’97the Church; John xiv., xvi., &c.: so also chap. 1Co_16:7. As the spirit quickeneth and is the life of every believer, personally, so also of the whole Church, collectively.
III. As the body’97the Church must exhibit Christ’s mind and character.
The body of flesh Christ bad was under the control and hallowed influence of the Holy Spirit. It was the residence of the Deity. Now just so also his body the Church. It is to receive celestial influences and impressions from Christ and then to show them forth.
(1.) Was Christ meek and lowly? So must be his Church.
(2.) Spiritual and holy? So must be his Church.
(3.) Self-denying and forbearing? So must be his Church.
(4.) Devoted and obedient? So must be his Church.
(5.) Compassionate and merciful? So must be his Church.
The mind, and spirit, and life of Christ, must be reflected by the Church the body of Christ.
IV. As the body of Christ, it must carry out the purposes and will of Christ.
Christ came into the world to do the will of the Father, Heb_10:4. In that body passively he suffered, and actively he did God’s will. Now the will of Christ must be carried out by his body the Church. He has taught his people to pray for this, "Thy will be done." God’s will is to be done by the Church, and his kingdom is to be consummated by it. See this hinted at, Eph_4:8-13. Now this involves,
1. That the Church must be a teaching body.
Christ taught men. His lips diffused knowledge. He was the great teacher. The teacher of righteousness, &c. He bare witness of the truth. Revealed his Father: opened the kingdom of God. Now so must the Church do also. Holding forth the word of life and exhibiting the cross. Unfolding the Scriptures. Being the pillar and ground of truth, the Church is to reflect the light and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many of her disciples are to run to and fro, &c. To maintain and diffuse the truth is the province of the Church. The body of Christ must contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.
2. The Church must be a sympathizing body.
How tender and delicate were the sympathies of Christ! How he felt for human suffering and woe! How he sympathized with the poor’97how he felt for the unfortunate’97how he relieved the sick’97how he wept with the sorrowing’97how he saved the penitent. Now these must all be carried out by the Church: he demands it. He observes: he will reward. A cup of cold water, &c.
3. The Church must be an active body. How he journeyed, and travelled, and toiled. He never was diverted from his great work. He steadily labored until he could say, "I have finished the work."
What diligence and devotedness! What earnestness and zeal! What patience and perseverance! Now the Church must be Christ’s active body. Hearkening to God’s commands, delighting to do the Father’s will, seeking the divine glory in all things.
4. The Church must be a liberal and benevolent body.
Christ was an embodiment of both. He was incarnate love, "Ye know the grace of the Lord Jesus," &c. What could exceed this! He gave himself, his sacred life, precious blood! Not one selfish action in all his life. It was all generosity from his birth to his crucifixion. Now such must be the Church his body. Full of love; glowing with generosity; rich in goodness; diffusing her streams of liberty everywhere. Blessing all within her influence.
5. It must be a heavenly body.
It is of heavenly formation. It has a heavenly aspect, often called the kingdom of heaven. It has heavenly blessings and privileges, and it is heavenly in its destination. Christ was often communing with heaven. He had heaven in his spirit, and words, and life, so must the Church his body. Christ’s body after suffering was exalted to heaven. It is now on the right hand of God: such is the destiny of the Church called with a heavenly calling to God’s eternal kingdom and glory, destined in its completed character to the celestial temple of Jehovah in the heavens.
Application
1. Are we members of the body the Church?
And do we count it our greatest privilege and honor?
2. Are we deeply solicitous for the happiness and well-being of the body?
Do we live for Christ and for the extension of his kingdom in the world?
3. Do we rightly estimate the design of the Church?
To bless and save the world.
4. Do we rely on the communications of our divine head?
His desires, his honors, his joys, his triumphs. Are they our greatest concern?
Oh, reflect on these, and whether you live, live to him, &c.
Make his interests yours, &c.
Do all Christ’s will in his spirit and by the help of his grace, &c.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS