The Pulpit Commentary — Ephesians — Section 204

I. WHEREIN CHRISTIAN m'ITY CONSISTS. 1. Ea:ternally it comists in tM "one body." Plainly the "one body" is the Church, the community of Christians. It should be clear to an impartial reader of the Ne,v Testament that neither Christ nor bis apostles oontemplated the ideal of the kingdom of heaven on earth as we see that kingdom realized only in a Christendom torn and distracted with the bitter rivalries :rno. mutual excommunications of innumerable sects. The Church of Christ the Church in St. Paul's conception, was to be catholic-one great family, harmocious, mi::ru.aily sympathetic and mutually helpful. 2. lnleNially it ronsists in the "one S: iri:." &, long as there is i::ot oneness of spirit in the Church, the attempt to preserve <"X:c.-:::::-.: .::::iic,::i by force is futile; My, it is po::iti,·e\y hurtful. It is best not to have "':::J.<"~",. semblance of Ullion when at hesrt we ,liffer strongly. But if there is a unity 0f spirit, that should be regarded as the most es...sential thing. History shows that the g-:-<'... te:;, bre:iches of unity have been caused by the illibernl efforts of bigots t.o constrain uniformity. If we want true unity we must dispense with agreement in doctrine, f,mn of worship and ecclesia.stical order, and be content with oneness of spirit. This unity will be realized, not by increasing, but by minimizing, the points of uniformity; in comprehensiveness, not in stringent discipline; with larger charity, never with more absolute authority. II. TowARDS WHAT END CHRISTIAN m.'ITY ts TENDING. The Christian calling points to "one hope." All thin_,as make for final integration (eh. i.10). We fail of our vocation if we are satisfied with a churlish isolation. TLere will be varieties of life in the future, no doubt, as there will be" many mansions." But all Christians will be united in the one city of God, even in the one house of our Father (John xiv. 2). • It becomes, therefore, our manifest duty to heal the breaches of Zion. Controversialists should ask themselves whether they bring the millennium nearer by their pugnacious advocacy of pet doctrines, or drive it further off by deepening the fissures of a sorely divided Christendom ; and ecclesiastical advocates of Church unity should consider whether it is likely they will win over to their side all the divergent sects by standing on the narrowest possible ground and erecting about it frowning ramparts . . III. O:s WHAT ORIGINAL FOm.""DATio:ss ClmIBTIA..>r UNITY 1s BASED. 1. C>ruJ Lord. We all have one and the same Christ, and in him weare one. In proportion as Christi- an.icy becomes less an affair of theological dogmas and ecclesiastical systems, and more a religion of personal devotion to Christ, shall we be able to realize our true unity. 2. One faith. All Christians mnst experience the same spiritual faith in becoming Chrb--t's, and must walk eqnally by faith. Opinions and rules may differ, but we do not Jive by opinions and rules-we live by faith. Now, faith is the same spiritual act in child and in philosopher, in penitent and in saint, in the shouting recruit of th11 Salvation Army and in the grave Quaker, in the evangelical Methodist and in the devout restorer of media!val theology. 3. One baptism. There is one outward sacrament common to nearly the whole of Christendom significant of the washing li.nd renewal all nctd and all can reeeive in Christ. 4. One God and Father. A common worship mites. Communion with our one Father makes us members of one family.-W. F. A. Ver. 7.-MeaJJured grace. I. CimL~TIANB ABE RECIPIENTS OF GRACE. 1. Without 1race we can do nothing. All our attainments will be_ proportion~te to the amoun~ an<l_ kind of grace we receive. We cannot fulfil our vocat10n nor rcahze the grand unity ot 1 he Church by unaided human efforts. 2. But_ grace i~ vouchsafed t~ Christians. It is ,lie peculiar privilege of the New Testament dispensat10n that 1t bnngs the energy of '.:race as well as the light of truth. • ~ ll. CHRISTIAN GRACE IS THE Gll"T OF CHRIST. 1. Grace must be a gift. It would cease to be grace if we could create, earn, or deserve it. All the blessings of the gospel arc free gifts IUI are also our natural endowments. 2. Christian grace comes direct from, (Jhri6t.' His sacrifice won it. His ascension enables him to dispense it (vers. t-10). III. Tms GBACE IS GIVEN TO ALL CHRISTIANS. It is not reserved for high e=clesi- astical 0lficials and select sainta. We are no Christians if we have it not. The Church i,. the body of all Christians, and it is one because the same grace flows through the "l,ole brotherhood. 'l'he gospel is broad and democratic. l\T. Tm~ GRACE IS DISPENSED 'l'O EACH INDIVIDUAL SEVERALLY. Each one receives CH. IV. 1-32.] THE EPISTLE 'l'O THE EPHESIANS. 203