Paul exhorts saints to a holy, loving, peaceful walk: he knew nothing could effect this like the consideration that they all composed one body, of which Jesus is the head. While the power of this truth lives in the heart, love prevails in holiness before God and peace with our brethren. Then, in sweet fellowship we say with Abraham to Lot, "Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, for we are brethren." Gen. 13:8.
There is one body, saith our Lord: "A body hast thou prepared me." Heb. 10:5. As Christ had a natural body, formed by the power of the Holy Ghost, which he was to inhabit, in which he was to atone for sin, fulfil all righteousness, and make intercession for transgressors; so he has also a mystical body, the church, chosen and given to him by God the Father. In and over all these he is head. He was given "to be head over all things to the church, which is his body." Ephesians 1:22, 23. Believing sinner, art thou a member of this blessed body, united to this ever precious, ever glorious head? Envy not monarchs; covet not earth; study thy dignity; live like thyself; glory in thy head; look down with contempt on all things below Christ and heaven.
There is one Spirit: he flows from the head, has united us to the head, makes us like the head, and causes us to rejoice in the head; for Christ is in all his members: by this one Spirit he animates, guides, and comforts them.
Learn hence to love and praise God for the gift of Jesus to be all things to us; and to glory of and rejoice in Christ our head, who has done all for us, and is all to us, "for in him we are COMPLETE." Col. 2:10. Give glory also to the Spirit, who convinced us of sin, showed us Christ, knit our hearts to him by faith, and causes us to look to, live upon, and be comforted by Jesus, our covenant head. Endeavor to keep "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" between Christ and his members. Saints' strifes are Satan's sport: they grieve the Spirit and distress our minds. As we expect to live together with our head above, "let us follow the things which make for peace, and wherewith one may edify another" below. Rom. 14:19. The power of this faith, of being one with Christ, is most amazing: it works by the love of Christ, and produces love to him and to all his members, as being one in him: "Lord, increase our faith."