Paul, in his letter to the Romans, speaks about the one body and the many members. "For as we have members in one body, and all members have not the same office. So we being many, are one body in Christ, and everyone members one of another" (Rom. 12:4,5).

With the word body, the apostle speaks of the Church of the Lord. This is the same church as is mentioned in the Lord's Day 21 of the Heidelberg Catechism. A people chosen by God from all eternity, drawn out of darkness by a one-sided work of God. Led by the Holy Spirit, they come to see deliverance outside of self in Him who spoke, "Lo, Father, I come to do Thy will."

Thus the body mentioned is the chil­dren of the Lord. In them we may see God's free, sovereign election. We may see blessings that are merited for them by the blood of Christ. Blessings that are applied by the Spirit of God, and are experienced in calling, regeneration, faith, justification, and sanctification.

Of them the apostles says, "They are one." Truly, daily they reveal a painful separation. How often do we not see them standing, the one against the other? So many times the one places self above the other. One feels he has been led further and, therefore, must elevate himself higher. Division is sometimes so sharp that they cause separa­tions which continue for years.

All this because of a darkness of our understanding and lovelessness of heart. Yet this is the body Paul speaks of as many members, but one body. This is the body which has nothing of itself in which it can boast. This is the body which has been bought with the price that is so unspeakably high – the blood of the Lamb of God.

These are many members, but one body. Members for whom the prayer of Christ continues daily that they may be one. A prayer that is heard daily and answered.

How must we then see the oneness of the Church of God? As a spiritual oneness. We may see the oneness of the Church of God in the bond which He has laid. Here we do not justify the bickering, strife, and separations which there are. Rather, that we all could come to the place where I may be the least. Jesus says, "Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister" (Matt. 20:26).

But here we may see that God's people form in Christ one body. He binds them together by one Spirit. Therefore, when Paul says they are one body, then he says those individual children of God, those many members are one because of that work which is by the Spirit of the Lord and calls them unto that communion which is in Christ Jesus.

And out of this oneness the Apostle Paul speaks of the relation wherein be­lievers stand unto one another. They need each other. "And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee" (1 Cor. 12:21)

As members they are called to care for one another. The gifts that may be received must be used for the entire body, and each individual member. As believers they are called to have com­munion with each other, to esteem others more than myself, and to seek the welfare of one another.

The grace of God, when it may be experienced, makes poor and needy. Here the shortcomings are many.

Why is there so much living apart? Is it because of the darkness over God's Church?

Yes, when the spiritual bond is not experienced, then there is no need for communion. Then there is no voice that goes out from God's heritage. Then the rising generation no longer hears how God converts His people. For when that voice does not come from the members of the body, from where must then the instruction come how God calls and deals with His people?

May the Lord give that the spiritual poverty in the life of God's people may become a living experience, so that in general within the congregations there may come an impression of the serious condition.

True, the Lord still converts His people. He has promised that He will continue to do that until the end of the time. But where is the spiritual exercise which was so often a mark in the life of the forefathers?

The Lord is the same yesterday, to­day, and forevermore. That in grace He may stand over His church, and give true spiritual exercise unto the mem­bers of the body.

Then the message that comes from the mouth of those who may labor in His vineyard must be a message which begins where God begins. That is a preaching of sin and grace, of law and gospel. That is a message which begins in eternity and continues to speak of a one-sided work of God. That breaks down all which is of man, so that salvation may be seen outside of self in Christ Jesus alone.

Here these members may learn: "Nothing in me, but an eternal fulness in Him." Then the members of the body may experience a oneness because they are bound together by one tie – the tie which flows from the merits of the Lord Jesus.