Unity and Peace.
I. The unity of the Church of Christ.—1. Distinguish the unity of comprehensiveness from the unity of mere singularity. 2. It subsists between things not similar or alike, but dissimilar or unlike. 3. It is made up of dissimilar members, without which dissimilarity there could be no unity. 4. It consists in submission to one single influence or spirit. The Spirit of its God.
II. The individual peace resulting from this unity.—1. It is God’s peace. 2. A living peace. 3. The peace which comes from an inward power. 4. The peace of reception.—Robertson.
The Peace of God ruling in the Heart.
I. The region.—“In your hearts.” When the heart is drawn in one direction, the whole man follows. When God by His Word and Spirit comes to save, He saves by arresting the heart and making it new.
II. The reign.—“Rule.” Freedom from rule is not competent to man; the only choice he has is a choice of masters.
III. The Ruler.—“The peace of God.” 1. It is God and no idol that should rule in a human heart. 2. It is not the wrath but the peace of God that rules in a human heart. It is the act of letting me go free that binds my whole soul for ever.—W. Arnot.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF VERSE 16.
The Poetry of the Christian Life.
In the life of the individual and of nations the era of poetry comes first and is followed by the era of criticism. The impulse of a youthful and enthusiastic passion and the boundless play of a prolific imagination produce certain artistic results; and then comes the cool, reflective critic, with microscopic eye and mathematical rules, to measure and appraise the loved production. How soon the glowing efflorescence withers, and the expanding magnitude dwindles to the smallest practical limits. Genuine poetry is superior to all criticism, outlives the most violent opposition, and is imperishable as humanity. Poetry is the language of the soul in its highest and holiest mood, when it is fired with a Divinely kindled rapture, when it strives to grasp the invisible and pants to express the grandest truths of the universe. The Christian life has its poetry. It is of the loftiest order, its theme the noblest, and its melody haunts the soul for ever with strains of ravishing harmony. In this verse we learn that the poetry of the Christian life draws its inspiration from the Divine Word and ministers to the culture and enjoyment of the Church. Observe:—