First of all, it must be borne in mind that Christ is the Seed. That is
plainly stated. But Christ did not live for Himself, and He is not heir
simply for Himself. He has won an inheritance, not for Himself, but for
His brethren. God’s purpose is to “gather together in one all things in
Christ.” He will finally put an end to divisions of every kind, and He
does it now in those who accept Him. In Christ there are no distinctions
of nationality, and no classes and ranks. No Christian thinks of any
other man as English, German, French, Russian, Turk, Chinese, or
African, but simply as a man, and, therefore, a possible heir of God
through Christ. If that other man, no matter what his race or nation, be
also a Christian, then the bond becomes mutual, and, therefore, still
stronger. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor
free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ
Jesus.” It is for this reason that it is impossible for a Christian to
engage in war. He knows no distinction of nationality, but regards all
men as his brothers. But the chief reason why he can not engage in
warfare is that the life of Christ is his life, for he is one with
Christ; and it would be as impossible for him to fight as it would be
for Christ to seize a sword and wield it in self-defense; and two
Christians can no more fight against each other than Christ can fight
against Himself.
However, we are not now engaged in discussing war, but are merely
showing the absolute unity of believers in Christ. They are one. There
is, therefore, but one Seed, and that is Christ; for, however many
millions of true believers there may be, they are only one in Christ.
Each man has his own individuality, but it is in every case only the
manifestation of some phase of the individuality of Christ. In a human
body there are many members, and all members have, not the same office,
but differ in their individuality; yet there is absolute unity and
harmony in every healthy body. With those who have put on the new man,
which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him,
“there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision,
Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free; but Christ is all, and in all.” Col.
3:11.
The Harvest.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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