There is a principle which is inseparable from the existence of vital godliness, and that is faith in Christ. Now if all who look to the work of Christ for justification, and confide in the Holy Spirit for sanctification, are really Christians, why should they not be felt to be such, and loved as brethren? Christ loves them,—let them love each other. To all of them Jesus is precious; then let our hearts embrace with ardour all “who love our Lord Jesus Christ, in sincerity;” and if we can do this, there will be but little difficulty in rendering that unity visible. How can it be concealed? For where there is true love, there must to some extent be friendly intercourse—sympathy will be engendered—in spite of existing distinctions, love will draw us together into kindly greetings, and social fellowship. Nor will there be wanting opportunities of co-operation in efforts to diffuse the Bible, extend the Gospel, and convert immortal souls.
And even where this may not be, there will be witnessed a cordial interest in each other’s labors of love; we shall rejoice when prosperity attends the work of others employed with us in the same holy enterprize, and mingle our tears with those which disappointments cause to flow from the eyes of our beloved and devoted brethren; and only let this but be realized, and all bitterness, and envy, and malice, will speedily disappear. If Christians differ in opinion, yet they will agree in heart; if they are constrained to exhibit their views strongly, they will aim to do so with “the meekness of wisdom,” and with the kindness of charity.
Oh, for this consummation! Believers, labour and pray for it—sacrifice for its attainment your party jealousies—mortify carnal prejudices, and crucify the spirit of bigotry; and thus hasten the accomplishment of the Saviour’s prayer, when we shall all be one—one in love—one in our great aim for reviving the church, and saving the world—one in fervent prayer—and shall all value, more than any other title, the one new name given to the disciples at Antioch.
Having considered somewhat at length the object which in this petition of the Saviour, he more especially seeks; namely, the unity of his Disciples; a one-ness in his Church; let us in the second place, advert to the means by which it is to be promoted.
And here I need scarcely remark, that coercion can do nothing: neither ecclesiastical canons, nor authoritative edicts, can sway the conscience, or influence the affections. Nor can even much reliance he placed on moral suasion, or controversial discussion. We may acknowledge the importance of the object, but be after all undecided as to the method of its attainment, or indifferent to its ultimate success. The great means are with God; yet all of us can do something towards the promotion of Christian Union, and I would humbly suggest the following hints:—
1.—By personally cherishing, and prominently keeping in view those great truths upon which the Church of Christ has agreed.
For after all, to use the admirable language of a Christian author upon this subject; “The unity which the Church of Christ should maintain within, and promote without, even in our present circumstances exists, and that substantially, though imperfectly. Its existence is proved by an identity of motives and aims; proved by that similarity of sentiment, which makes the Christian find a new brother in every converted man; proved by petitions and praises, like in matter and in manner, and offered to the same throne of grace; proved by the general correspondence of our forms of worship. Were some enlightened heathen, such as Cicero, to rise up and come among us, he would perceive little difference among the purest Christians, unless his attention were called to it by some formal partisan. The grand and glorious features of the Christian faith, would stand out before him in bright contrast with those of heathenism, if our paltry animosities did not obscure them.”
Let us then set before us, and steadfastly gaze upon the great soul-elevating, and spirit-uniting doctrines of the Gospel. The atonement of Christ—His perfect work—finished redemption—spotless righteousness—all prevailing intercession, and final conquest. The work of the Spirit in the regeneration, sanctification, and perfection of believers. These are the great master-truths; let them be to our souls, what they are to the Gospel, the Alpha and Omega, the foundation of all; and much will be done in enlarging our views, refining our judgments, breaking down prejudice within, and concentrating our affections upon points of general agreement. In addition to this, let the mind of Christ be ours. His mind was absorbed with love to his Father, and compassion for souls. Cherish the same; let this predominant passion occupy and control our spirits, and there will then be but little space found, and less taste felt for those trifles which distract, divide, and embitter.
2.—We may promote this Christian Unity further, by seeking to form, and convey a right impression of our own excellence, in comparison with the worth of others “who follow not with us.”
We are too prone to dwell with much of sectarian gratulation, upon the peculiar advantages of our own communion, or the evidences of divine favour we have been blessed with; to the disparagement of others, from whom we differ. That spirit, whilst it leads us to vain boasting, as infallibly leads to a despising of our brethren. Rather let as mourn over our own imperfections and short-comings; let us recall to mind how feeble and often futile have been our efforts; how our piety has mingled with much of earthliness, our love with much of selfishness, our zeal with much of partiality, and our devotedness with much of self exaltation.