John 17:23 I in them, and you in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that you have sent me, and have loved them… The Scriptures have borrowed from nature four metaphors, to describe this mystical union; but neither of these singly, or all of them jointly, can give us a full account of this mystery. 1. Not that of two pieces united by glue (1 Corinthians 6:17), for though this union be intimate, yet it is not vital. 2. Nor that of the graft and stock (Romans 6:5), for though this union be vital, yet the graft is of a more excellent kind and nature than the stock, and the tree receives its denomination from it; but Christ, into whom believers are ingrafted, is infinitely more excellent than they, and they are denominated from Him. 3. Nor conjugal union, for though this be exceeding dear and intimate, and they two become one flesh; yet it is not indissolvable, but must be broken by death; but this betwixt Christ and the soul abides to eternity. 4. Nor that of the Head and members united by one spirit, and so making one physical body (Ephesians 4:15, 16), for though one soul actuates every member, yet it doth not knit every member alike near to the head, but here every member is alike nearly united with Christ the Head, the weak are as near to Him as the strong. Note — I. THE REALITY OF THIS UNION, which appears — 1. From the communion which is betwixt Christ and believers (1 John 1:3). It signifies such fellowship or co-partnership, as persons have by a joint interest in one and the same enjoyment (Hebrews 3:14; Psalm 45:7). Now this communion is entirely dependent upon Union (1 Corinthians 3:22, 23). 2. From the imputation of Christ's righteousness for justification (Romans 3:24; Romans 4:23, 24; 1 Corinthians 1:30). 3. From the sympathy that is betwixt Christ and believers; Christ and the saints smile and sigh together (Colossians 1:24; Acts 9:5). 4. From the way in which the saints shall be raised at the last day (Romans 8:11). II. THE QUALITY AND NATURE OF THIS UNION. More generally, it is an intimate conjunction of believers to Christ, by the imparting of His Spirit to them, whereby they are enabled to believe and live in Him. All Divine spiritual life is originally in the Father, and cometh not to us, but by and through the Son (John 5:26; Romans 8:2). The Spirit must therefore first take hold of us, before we can live in Christ, and when He doth so, then we are enabled to exert that vital act of faith whereby we receive Christ (John 6:57). So that the Spirit's work in uniting a soul into Christ is like the cutting off the graft from its native stock (which He doth by His illuminations and convictions) and closing it with the Living Vine, and so enabling it (by the infusion of faith) to draw the vital sap, and thus it becomes one with Him. Or as the many members in the natural body, being all quickened and animated by the same vital spirit, become one body with the Head (Ephesians 4:4). 1. Negatively it is — (1) Not a mere mental union (John 14:20). This doctrine is not fantastical, but scientifical. (2) Not a physical union, such as is betwixt the members of a natural body and the head; this is only mystical. (3) Not an essential union, or union with the Divine nature, so as our beings are thereby swallowed up and lost in the divine Being. (4) Not a federal union, or an union by covenant only; such an union indeed, there is betwixt Christ and believers, but that is consequential to, and wholly dependent upon this. (5) Not a mere moral union by love and affection; thus we say, one soul is in two bodies, a friend is another self; the lover is in the person beloved; such an union there is also betwixt Christ and the saints, but this is of another nature; that only knits our affections, but this our persons to Christ. 2. Positively. (1) Though this union neither makes us one person or essence with Christ, yet it knits our parsons most intimately and nearly to the person of Christ (Colossians 1:24). (2) It is wholly supernatural, wrought by the alone power of God (1 Corinthians 1:30). We can no more unite ourselves to Christ than a branch can incorporate itself into another stock (Ephesians 1:19, 20). (3) It is an immediate union; not as excluding instruments, but as excluding degrees of nearness (1 Corinthians 1:2). (4) It is a fundamental union. (a) By way of sustentation: all our fruits of obedience depend upon it (John 15:4). (b) To all our privileges and comfortable claims (1 Corinthians 3. ult.). (c) To all our hopes and expectations of glory (Colossians 1:27). So then destroy this union, and with it you destroy all our fruits, privileges, and eternal hopes, at one stroke. (5) It is a most efficacious union, for through this union the Divine power flows into our souls, both to quicken us with the life of Christ, and to conserve and secure that life in us, after it is so infused (Ephesians 4:16; John 14:19). (6) It is an indissoluble union; there is an everlasting tie betwixt Christ and the believer (Romans 8:35, 38, 39). (7) It is an honourable union. The greatest honour that was ever done to our common nature was by its assumption into union with the Second Person hypostatically, and the highest honour that was ever done to our single persons was their union with Christ mystically. To be a servant of Christ is a dignity transcendent to the highest advancement among men; but to be a member of Christ, how matchless is the glory thereof 1(8) It is a most comfortable union (Ephesians 1:22, 23). (9) It is a fruitful union (Romans 7:4; John 15:8). (10) It is an enriching union (1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Corinthians 3:22). All that Christ hath becomes ours: His Father (John 20:17); His promises (2 Corinthians 1:20); His providences (Romans 8:28); His glory (John 17:24). III. INFERENCES. If there be such an union betwixt Christ — 1. Then what transcendent dignity hath God put on believers! Well might Constantine prefer the honour of being a member of the Church before that of being a head of the empire. Some imperious grandees would frown should some of these persons but presume to approach their presence; but God sets them before His face with delight, and angels delight to serve them. 2. Then the graces of believers can never totally fail (Colossians 3:3). 3. How great and powerful a motive then is this, to make us liberal in relieving the necessities and wants of every gracious person! For in relieving them we relieve Christ Himself (Matthew 25:35, 40). 4. How unnatural then are all those acts of unkindness whereby believers wound and grieve Jesus Christi This is as if the hand should wound his own head, from which it receives life, sense, motion, and strength. 5. Then surely they can never want what is good for their souls or bodies. Every one naturally cares and provides for his own, especially for his own body. (J. Flavel.) Parallel Verses KJV: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. |
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