1 Corinthians 6:17 But he that is joined to the Lord is one spirit. I. THE EXPLICATION OF THIS TRUTH. 1. Who are "true believers"? (1) Not such as are united unto Christ by a mere external profession, sacramental admission, or presumptuous persuasion (John 2:23, 24). These are dead branches (John 15:2). sapless stakes in the Church's hedge, wooden legs of Christ's body (2 Timothy 3:5; Revelation 3:1). (2) But such as are united unto Christ by internal implantation. Living, fruit-bearing branches (John 15:5); so that now Christ is in them, and they in Christ (John 17:21, 23). 2. What kind of union is this? (1) Negatively. (a) Not a ,corporeal union. Christ is in heaven (Acts 1:11; Acts 3:21), we on earth. (b) Not a hypostatical, personal union; such as that of the Divine and human natures in the person of Christ. Believers make not one person with Christ, but "one body" (1 Corinthians 12:13); and that not one body natural, but mystical. (c) Not an essential, substantial union; not such an union as makes believers in any wise partakers of the substance of Christ's Godhead. (d) Not such an union as mounts up believers to an equality with Christ in any respect. "In all things He hath," and must have, "the pre-eminence" (Colossians 1:18). (2) Positively. (a) A spiritual union. (b) A mystical, profound union (Ephesians 5:32; John 17:20). (c) And yet a true, real union. Not a fancy only (Ephesians 5:30). As the head communicates real influences to the body, so Christ communicates to us His Spirit and graces (John 1:16). (d) An intimate union. Like that of the food with the body which it nourisheth (John 6:54). (e) A perpetual, indissoluble union (Romans 8:35). 3. What are the efficient causes of this union? They are — (1) Principal. This great work ascribed — (a) To the whole Godhead (chap. 1 Corinthians 1:9: 1 Peter 5:10; John 6:44, 45; Ephesians 2:6, 7). (b) But more especially to the Spirit of God. He it is that knits this marriage-knot (1 Corinthians 12:13; Titus 3:5). (2) Less principal, or the means or instruments of union. (a) Outward. Generally all the ordinances of God (Zechariah 4:12). More especially — First, the word read, preached, meditated on, believed, improved. Second, the sacraments. Those spiritual seals and labels which God hath fixed to His covenant of grace. (b) Inward faith. Not a bare historical, dead faith; but a living, working, justifying, saving faith (Ephesians 3:17; John 1:12; 1 Corinthians 6:56; Galatians 2:20). II. CONFIRMATION. That there is such a union appears — 1. From those many equivalent expressions whereby the Scriptures hold forth this union. (1) Christ is said to "be in" believers (Colossians 1:27; Romans 8:10), to "dwell in" them (Ephesians 3:17), to "walk in" them (2 Corinthians 6:16). (2) Believers are said to "abide in" Christ (John 15:7), to "dwell in" Christ (John 6:56; 1 John 4:16), to "put on" Christ (Galatians 3:27). 2. From those several similitudes by which the Scriptures shadow out this union. Believers are said to be — (1) "Lively stones" (1 Peter 2:4-6), Christ, the living "foundation, the chief corner-stone," on which they are built (Ephesians 2:20, 21). (2) "Branches" of Christ, "the true vine," into whom they are engrafted, and in whom they bring forth fruit (John 15:1, 5). (3) The loyal, affectionate "spouse" of Christ (Ephesians 5:31, 32; Song of Solomon 2:16; Song of Solomon 5:1). (4) Christ's "body" (Ephesians 1:23; Ephesians 5:30), Christ being the believers' "Head" (1 Corinthians 1:22). In a word, the Head and mystical body are called "Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:12). 3. From that communion which there is betwixt Christ and true believers. (1) Believers communicate with Christ — (a) In "His fulness" (John 1:16). (b) In His merits (2 Corinthians 5:21). (c) In His life and graces (1 Corinthians 1:2). (d) In His privileges and dignities. Is He a King, a Priest? So are believers (Revelation 1:6; 1 Peter 2:9). Is He a Son, an Heir, by nature? Saints are so by adoption (Romans 8:17). (e) In His victories (Romans 8:37). (f) In His triumphs and glory; they share with Him in His throne. All that believers are, is from the grace of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:10; Philippians 4:13), so that they do not so properly live, as Christ in them (Galatians 2:20). (2) Christ communicates in the believers' graces. All that they are is from Christ; and therefore all that they have is to Christ; what they receive in mercy they return in duty. III. APPLICATION. Information. Are believers thus closely united unto Christ? Hence see — (1) The crimson dye of their sin, who oppose and persecute them. In touching them, they "touch the apple of His eye" (Zechariah 2:8). (2) The quality of Christ's love to them beyond and above all others (Ephesians 3:18, 19). (3) The high honour which Christ casts upon them — an honour not vouchsafed to heaven's courtiers, the angels. They are Christ's servants, subjects; not His members. (4) Their stability and perseverance in their estate of grace. (5) A cogent and conclusive argument for their resurrection (chap. 1 Corinthians 15:12-23). If the Head be got above, surely the body shall not always lie under, water. 2. Examination. To ascertain whether there be such a union betwixt our souls and Christ, let us ask — (1) Hath Christ given unto you His Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9; 1 John 3:24). Now this Spirit is — (a) A praying Spirit (Zechariah 12:10). (b) A mourning Spirit. (c) A sanctifying Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 Peter 1:2). (2) Doth "Christ dwell in thy heart by faith"? (Ephesians 3:17.) Namely, by such a faith as purifies the heart, works by love and overcomes the world. (3) Dost thou "crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts"? They that are united unto Christ do so (Galatians 5:24; Romans 8:13). (4) Art thou "a new creature"? He that is in Christ is so (2 Corinthians 5:17). Hast thou a new head, heart, lip, life? (5) Dost thou bring forth fruit? Every branch in Christ is a fruit-bearing branch (John 15:5; Philippians 1:11). 3. Consolation. (1) With relation to Christ, to whom believers are united. On their union with Him, there redounds to them a peculiar interest — (a) In Christ's person. Christ Himself is theirs (Jeremiah 32:38; Isaiah 9:6). (b) In Christ's properties. Has Christ an arm of power? It is for your protection. Has He an eye of knowledge? It is for your direction. Has He a stock, a treasury, of perfect righteousness? It is for your justification, &c. (c) In Christ's promises (2 Peter 1:4). Which are the believers' Magna Charta, to the confirmation whereof God has been pleased to add both His oath and blood for seals (Hebrews 6:17, 18). (d) in all Christ's providences (Romans 8:28). (e) In all (1 Corinthians 3:22, 23). (2) With respect to believers themselves. In a threefold regard; namely, of their persons, graces, duties. 4. Exhortation. (1) To sinners, that are as yet "without Christ, God, hope in this world" (Ephesians 2:12). Be persuaded to give your eyes no sleep till you are united to Christ! Consider — (a) The dreadful, dismal danger of thy present estate. A soul not united unto Christ lies open to all danger imaginable. (b) Christ's condescending willingness to be united to thee. (2) To saints that are united to Christ. (a) Be very fearful of that which may in any sort weaken your union with Christ. (b) Wisely improve it. (c) Labour for a frame of spirit suitable to it. (d) Walk worthy of it. (T. Lye, A. M.) Parallel Verses KJV: But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. |
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