The Union Between Christ and His Church
R. Glover. John 17:18-19 As you have sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. Christ expects that His Church will be in the world as He was in these senses — I. THAT THE MIND THAT WAS IN HIM SHALL BE IN HER. He has not overlooked the force of evil, so He expects — 1. Penitence to have its perfect work not ceasing until it grows in humility, and cleanses the spirit from viler tastes and sordid vices. 2. Faith that will perpetually fill the nature and lay claim to the gift of the Holy Spirit, using it in the development of grandest virtue. 3. That love will thrive in the heart, turning the tyranny of passion into a glow of piety. 4. That His Cross will charm the eye, and protect from destructive allurements. 5. That however lofty her effort she will not fail in it. 6. That she will look on men with the eye of pity, and spare not herself in the work of their redemption. II. THAT THE CHURCH WILL ENGAGE IN THE SAME WORK AS OCCUPIED HIM. This naturally follows. There cannot be identity of spirit without identity of purpose and employment. It is not that the Church sets before herself some outward action as exactly reproducing that of Christ, but, looking with eyes like His through the agate windows of charity upon the needs of men, she sees wants which others overlook, and feels within herself some power to meet them; and using the power she has it grows until it flows out into the variety of usefulness which is the image of Him who went about doing good. 1. Are there children about her? She will feed the lambs and carry them in her bosom. 2. Do others neglect the old? She ministers to the solitude and decay of age. 3. Does the false world tread down the fallen? She lifts them to self-respect by the love and energy with which she reclaims them. 4. She checks Pharisaism by the glow of her real charity. 5. She cries to the multitudes, "Behold your God." 6. She engages in the absorbing effort to save the one sinner at the well. Her path may be obscure, but consecrating what she has she makes many rich. I do not ask has the Church realized all this; but is she aiming at it? Had she done so long ago, nations now lying in darkness would have been basking in the light of love. III. THAT THE CHURCH WILL ENDURE THE SAME SACRIFICES AS HE ACCEPTED. Of course there is one part of the sacrifice which we cannot aspire to. But it is evident that no one can have the mind of Christ or do His work without being involved in sacrifices identical to the spirit in which they are accepted and the pain they involve with His. St. Paul speaks of the conflicts of Christ in his body, of being crucified with Christ, of being conformed to His death, &c. Sanctity will never be without its sorrows. You will be misunderstood and misrepresented. IV. THAT THE CHURCH WILL BE SUFFICIENTLY EQUIPPED IN ALL SHE HAS TO DO AND BEAR. "My grace is sufficient for thee." Let that grow and it will conquer. (R. Glover.) Parallel Verses KJV: As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. WEB: As you sent me into the world, even so I have sent them into the world.