Part 11
Therefore, when St. Paul states that He "fills all things," we must rely on the experience of faith rather than common reason or opinion if we intend to understand how Jesus Christ dwells within us. Regardless of our circumstances, we should not believe that any distance can separate us from the Son of God. His dominion extends high and low, and we will sense His presence in us, becoming one with Him, even joined to God the Father. We will attain the perfection mentioned in St. John, where it is said, "It is expedient for you that I go my way, for my Father is greater than I." Jesus Christ does not claim inferiority to His Father in terms of His divine essence, for there is only one God. Instead, He uses this language to help us, like children, understand and gradually ascend to a greater understanding. In this way, He links us to God the Father until we are truly
transformed into His glory, a process we already begin through the gospel. We see dimly now, but one day we will see clearly.
Let us honour this king, appointed over us by God the Father, and recognise that we ought to be His people and even His own body. This understanding should inflame our love for Him. Jesus Christ, exalted above all the heavens, is also the judge of the world. He will call us to account not only for our actions but also for our thoughts. We must walk in His fear and obedience, knowing that when the trumpet sounds on the last day, we will all appear before Him. We must also acknowledge that He "fills all things" in a way that overthrows our enemies and restrains them from harming us. Our enemies may scheme and plot, but they cannot prevail, for Jesus Christ has the upper hand. It is essential for Him to be above all to ensure our victory, or else we would be lost.
Consider the infinite force possessed by the devil and his followers. Without Jesus Christ's dominion, they could wreak havoc on our salvation. However, Jesus Christ "fills all things," demonstrating His power over Satan and his allies. Despite their efforts against the Church, they will never succeed because Jesus Christ holds them in check, as if with His foot on their throat. Thus, the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ was granted to Him with full authority, ensuring that His strong and invincible hand will always defend us. He has taken us into His perfection, being exalted above all the heavens.
That is why St. Paul explicitly states that every knee shall bow before Him, both creatures in heaven and creatures on earth, even creatures under the earth. When we hear that angels bow before our Lord Jesus Christ, we should understand that He assigns them to serve us as our protectors, defending us against Satan. Since this responsibility is entrusted to them by our Lord Jesus Christ, who is their head, we can be assured of our salvation. This is how we should interpret this text.
Furthermore, we must live in obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ so that we may genuinely experience His presence in us. As I mentioned earlier, He is above all things, through all things, and in all things. Although this was originally spoken of God the Father, we know that Jesus Christ is the means by which God dwells within us. Therefore, let us be His true temples. Since He, the source of all purity, has graciously chosen to dwell in us, we should strive to keep ourselves pure in both body and soul. If we indulge in uncleanness, it is as if we are driving away the Son of God, who cannot coexist with our corruption and filthiness. This does not mean we can be completely free from sin, but we should not delight in it. Instead, we should fight against it and strive to conform ourselves to the purity found in our Lord Jesus Christ. Just as He sanctified Himself on our behalf, we should also be holy, empowered by His Holy Spirit and guided by the gospel's doctrine.
Regarding this feeling of Jesus Christ dwelling within us, we can be confident that He is truly present in us because we know that He has bound the devils and all those who despise His Majesty in subjection. This unique presence is reserved for us because He has chosen us as His temples, demonstrating that the connection He has with humanity applies specifically to us, both in terms of human nature and His Spirit. He does not merely remain human as before; there is more to it. We become bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh, not in the sense of being created from His substance, but through the power of His Holy Spirit, which allows His body and blood to flow into us. We are filled, not only with food to eat but also with drink to quench our thirst. These blessings are available to us if we consider and accept the benefits offered by our Lord Jesus Christ and do not reject them due to our unbelief.
Let us humble ourselves before the majesty of our good God, acknowledging our faults and praying that He grants us a true knowledge of ourselves and our wretchedness. May this awareness humble us to the point
where we approach Him with utmost humility, confessing our dependence on Him for all good things and placing our ultimate trust in our Lord Jesus Christ. We should be so closely united with Him that we cast away our fleshly desires and affections, which hinder our union with God.
We persist in the hope that has been bestowed upon us, eagerly awaiting the day when we depart from this world and enter into the eternal rest that You have procured for us. We pray that it pleases Him to bestow this grace not only upon us but also upon all the people and nations of the earth, and so on.
The Twenty Fifth Sermon, the Fifth on the Fourth
Chapter
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." - Ephesians 4:11-12
We have observed that although our Lord Jesus Christ has ascended above the heavens and there is a considerable distance between Him and us in terms of His physical absence from the world, He remains ever-present through the power of His Holy Spirit, filling all things. This filling serves the purpose of encouraging every faithful individual to humbly utilise the gifts and grace bestowed by the Lord for the benefit of those He has placed in His church to lead. Conversely, those who have received greater measures of these gifts should not exalt themselves but instead work towards the common good, salvation, and well-being of all God's children.
To summarise, Paul's intention was to convey that Jesus Christ, possessing all spiritual riches, has not distributed them equally among us, but rather in different measures and orders, as demonstrated in His church. Not all are prophets, teachers, or evangelists, which illustrates Christ's deliberate distribution of gifts by measure. Thus, anyone who presumes to possess all that is necessary deceives themselves in two ways. Firstly, no one attains such perfection that they no longer require the guidance of others. Secondly, those who excel in knowledge are obligated to use their gifts for the benefit of others. Conversely, the less skilled and ignorant should not envy those with greater understanding. Instead, they should recognise that God's order serves a purpose and submit to it.
The Prophet's message underscores the importance of allowing ourselves to be filled with spiritual gifts essential for our salvation and not rejecting instruction from fellow human beings. We should not fall into the folly of desiring revelations from heaven to bypass preaching and reading. Rather, all should willingly adhere to the order established by our Lord Jesus Christ. Those gifted with knowledge and expertise in the Holy Scriptures should dedicate themselves to serving the entire church, as God has exalted them for this purpose. The less skilled and ignorant should not envy others but accept that God's distribution of gifts benefits their salvation.
God wills that all things be shared, and each member of the body should have their share. Therefore, when St. Paul speaks of Jesus Christ appointing apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers, he signifies that the preaching of the gospel and the assembly of believers to hear the Holy Scriptures explained is not a human invention but a divine ordinance. Jesus Christ has established it as a law, and it must be upheld without deviation. However, there are some who, out of arrogance, seek to cast off this yoke. They question why they should be taught by their peers when they have access to the Holy Scriptures. They believe that they should draw all their
knowledge from there and see no reason for anyone to be preferred over others in this regard.
This would result in a dreadful disorder within the Church, where no one would willingly submit to be taught or accept a master or teacher unless they were convinced and resolved that this order was not a human invention. Instead, it is a government established for all believers by the Son of God. He desires those with the responsibility of teaching to be seen as sent by Him. Such teachers would rightly tell others that by despising and rebelling against His doctrine, they also despise and rebel against Him and His Father. Therefore, anyone who wishes to be considered a Christian must also be a child of the Church. This emphasises the importance of humility and receptiveness when it comes to receiving the teachings preached to us and remaining perpetual learners in the School of our Lord Jesus Christ.
St. Paul also indicates that when we have faithful and diligent teachers who guide us on the path to salvation, it is a sign that our Lord Jesus Christ has not abandoned or forgotten us. He is present with us, watching over our salvation and well-being. Consequently, we should not assume that individuals can independently decide to teach without divine guidance. No one can speak a single word to the glory of Jesus Christ unless it is given to them from above, and the Holy Spirit guides their speech. The Holy Scripture is described as a wisdom that surpasses human understanding, and the natural person cannot fully comprehend it. God must reveal these hidden and lofty matters to us. Therefore, when we witness the Holy Scripture being accurately expounded and applied for our benefit, we can be confident that God's Spirit bears witness to His presence among us. We should learn to receive this excellent gift, acknowledging it as the homage our Lord Jesus Christ demands from us.
This is also why the gospel is referred to as the kingdom of heaven. We understand that we do not accept God as our King or honour our Lord Jesus Christ when He is sent to us if we refuse to be governed by the means He has ordained, such as the preaching of the Gospel. We must obey and receive the Gospel's doctrine without resistance. Those who are entrusted with teaching should faithfully discharge their duty, and the rest should willingly receive what is taught to them. They should allow themselves to be instructed, lest they unwittingly oppose the Son of God. This is how we can continue to grow in knowledge throughout our lives, as will be explained in more detail later.
Now, in addition to this, Paul, by listing the various roles and officers, better illustrates how thoroughly our Lord Jesus Christ has shown Himself committed to the salvation of His own. He has not left anything undone that was necessary and suitable to lead them to the inheritance of salvation.
It is worth noting regarding these officers that Paul mentions, some of them served temporarily, such as the office of apostleship. They were not chosen with the intent of continuing until the end of the world but only to spread the Gospel's doctrine throughout the entire world, even if not everyone obeyed it. This was the special reason why our Lord Jesus Christ ordained the 12 apostles. Later, Paul joined them to preach among the Gentiles, marking the beginning of His kingdom's expansion. However, after the Gospel was sufficiently established, the office of apostleship ceased. Nevertheless, there were companions and fellow helpers who did not hold an equal rank but were commissioned to spread the seed of salvation. Paul refers to them as evangelists or gospels. According to his letter to Timothy, he instructs them to diligently carry out the work of an evangelist.
Now, concerning the office of Prophets, it does not hold the same prominence as it did in the past. God has reduced His gifts due to the world's unfaithfulness. This is not because He is any less generous or lacks
what is necessary for our salvation, but because, regardless of the state of the world, we are unworthy to receive His treasures as abundantly as the early days of the Gospel. Thus, we receive only a small portion of these gifts. However, the prophets served as interpreters of God's will and had a much deeper understanding of the Scriptures than the common teachers. Their role was to instruct.
Regarding the shepherds mentioned by Paul, they are ministers of the word with the ordinary responsibility to teach in a specific location. The same applies to teachers. An example can be found in the Church of Antioch in the 13th chapter of Acts. No one can be a shepherd without being a teacher. Nonetheless, teachers have a distinct responsibility, which is to explain the Scriptures to ensure a proper and sound understanding of them. This way, their power remains and continues in the church. Heresies and false opinions are unable to prevail, and faith remains steadfast and sure. The teachers served this purpose. St. Luke's account shows that the apostles were not bound to any specific location; Jesus Christ commissioned them to preach the Gospel to all creatures. They were to go wherever opportunities arose and doors were opened for preaching the Gospel, without being tied to a particular place. The same applies to evangelists. They travelled worldwide but were appointed to specific places when called.
In a similar manner, Timothy was chosen for a period, and although he primarily served in the role of an evangelist, he was willing to relocate as circumstances required. Titus, too, was assigned to the island of Crete, although he hadn't yet become firmly established there. He moved around as the current situation and needs dictated. Here, we can observe how some misguided individuals, who seek only disorder and disrupt established order, wrongfully claim that one should not remain in one place but should imitate the apostles. This is a misrepresentation of Jesus Christ's intentions, as demonstrated by this passage.
The apostles acted like heralds, proclaiming the gospel everywhere, and they were accompanied by evangelists. Meanwhile, there were also prophets, some of whom were more closely associated with certain places, as God distributed His grace. Nonetheless, prophets were present in every church, as we see in the Epistle to the Corinthians. This emphasises the importance of the gift of prophecy, which should be valued above all other gifts due to its greater benefit and contribution to the edification of the church.
Regarding shepherds, we can see how St. Paul and his companion Barnabas appointed them in various places. They instructed Titus and Timothy to ensure that the churches were provided with shepherds to guide them, preventing disorder. Therefore, ministers and shepherds were appointed by the authority of Jesus Christ and assigned to their respective positions. It is essential to remain in one's assigned role rather than coveting other positions. This is the lesson we should draw from St. Paul's discussion of these various roles.
Now, since we see that the appointment of ministers and shepherds is made by the authority of Jesus Christ, and they are assigned to specific roles, we should understand that each person should remain in their designated place. Just as a man is stationed in a bulwark or tower to guard it when it is in danger, everyone should be content with their place and not covet other positions. This is the essential point to take from St. Paul's discussion of the various roles.
In summary, let us learn that our Lord Jesus, in His infinite wisdom, understood what was necessary for the well-being of His church. He provided the faithful with everything needed so that they would lack nothing and have sufficient and convenient means to draw them towards the kingdom of heaven. Nowadays, we no longer have the office of apostleship, as I mentioned earlier, nor do we have ordinary evangelists. Nevertheless,
Jesus Christ still graciously extends His care and assistance to us. He does so even though His Word is often disregarded, offering us His gifts, although not as abundantly as we might receive if we had the zeal necessary to fully appreciate them.
However, let us not consider our situation the worst simply because we no longer have apostles. It was necessary in the past, given the confusion and disorder caused by the Papacy, for God to raise up men who were not chosen according to the established order of the church. He bestowed upon them His grace, and they served His purpose. But now, in places where the gospel is preached, and order is established, we must return to the earlier point. That is, when God provides us with shepherds who faithfully guide us, and teachers who uphold the purity of doctrine and strengthen us in the true Gospel, helping us to resist sects and errors, we should esteem this grace highly and not grumble against God.
Moreover, it is certain that if the Gospel were received with the reverence and earnestness it deserves, and if God were more bountiful on His side, we would have more good preachers. Unfortunately, we currently have so few good preachers, and many of them are like amateur builders, worse than Nord and less knowledgeable than the monks in the Papal system. They are willing to preach anything, be it Muhammad's Quran or Christ's Gospel, as long as it ensures their livelihood.
Furthermore, we see a group of drunkards who have no more zeal than swine, and they are as silent as mastiffs that never bark. They only open their mouths to confuse Light and Darkness, creating chaos. We must understand that God is executing just vengeance on those who disregard His Gospel. Consider the humility and submission that people show to God despite hearing the doctrine and seeing the Gospel proclaimed as His reign over us. Most people have little inclination towards religion, and even those who appear devoted often treat the Gospel as nothing more than a collection
of ceremonies. They are reluctant to accept any form of restraint, and they cannot bear to be rebuked for their vices.
These hypocrites want the Gospel to be preached but only under certain conditions, as if they were willing to make a deal with Jesus Christ. Yet, their pretense cannot hide the fact that they are shameless, and the world can see their true nature. It is a sad reality that one can find more religion and fear of God among the unconverted than among those in places where the Gospel is preached. The worst of it all is that some of these wicked individuals occupy positions of authority and truth. Some are drunkards, others are involved in immoral activities, and some even blaspheme. In short, there is a shocking level of wickedness among them.
Since we know this, let us humble ourselves and acknowledge the ingratitude and rebellion within us as the cause of all the disorder we witness. Regardless of our own circumstances, if our Lord continues to be gracious enough to have His doctrine preached to us, it is an assurance and infallible sign that He is near, working for our salvation by calling us to Him. We should not seek revelations from heaven or wander in search of signs, for the Word is already in our hearts and mouths. What more could we ask for? Who can ascend above the clouds or descend into the depths? Let us firmly believe that God offers Himself to us through the preaching of the Gospel, and we need not look elsewhere.
When the Word is preached to us, we have the privilege of hearing God's call and experiencing His open arms, as if we were in His very presence. We should remember that God has sent us preachers and teachers as His instruments, and through them, He calls us to Himself. We need not seek extraordinary signs when we have the Word of God readily available to us. Therefore, let those to whom God has given more knowledge not exalt themselves, but consider how they can serve the greater good of the entire
body. They should not hoard their gifts but use them to glorify God and help those in need.
It is important to understand that the use of these gifts is a shared responsibility. Those who possess knowledge should not keep it locked away like a treasure but share it with those who lack understanding. They must recognize that God has entrusted them with these gifts but intends for them to benefit the entire community. Therefore, they should not envy others whom God has chosen to honour in different ways. Instead, each one should know their own place and degree and avoid contention with God's ordained order within the church. We should be assured that the structure and order established in the church are based on the authority of the Son of God and should not be tampered with by the whims of those who seek to disrupt it.
There are those who consider the preaching of the Gospel to be unnecessary, thinking it is for children, believing that they have the Holy Spirit at their disposal to reveal things from Heaven to them at any moment. However, it is clear that the devil has deceived them with such arrogance, and people need to realize that he would achieve his goal if the means of our salvation were abolished. Just as Paul says, the preaching of the Gospel serves to perfect the church and lead us to the kingdom of heaven. Conversely, when there is no longer any doctrine or shepherding, the devil will undoubtedly gain control over us, leading to our dispersion and inevitable ruin.
Therefore, recognizing that this order is not of human origin, we should willingly submit ourselves to it. All of us, both great and small, should accept God's guidance through this means, as it has pleased Him to establish it. Additionally, we can see how God's children are referred to as the children of the church. St. Paul emphasizes that our Lord Jesus will reign over us on the condition that His Word is always in our mouths. He
does not suggest that angels will come to reveal God's will to us, but rather, we are to understand God's will through those appointed to convey it to us.
Just as during the time of the law, it was said that priests were God's messengers, and people were expected to seek guidance from them, similarly today, God does not want us to wander aimlessly with our own opinions. He directs us to the readily available source, making His Word accessible to us. If a person were to seek the hidden source of a fountain, buried deep within the earth, and refuse to drink until they found it, people would consider them mad and irrational. God, in His wisdom, has made His Word easily accessible to us and does not require us to go to great lengths to receive it. He has provided us with this wellspring, bringing His Word to us as if through conduits. We need only open our mouths to receive it, much like people come to draw water from continuous, abundant conduits.
Therefore, since God has ordained men as the instruments of His Holy Spirit to bring His Word to us, let us adhere to this ordained means. If we desire to be taught by God, let us accept the doctrine preached to us by human agents. This is what we must remember from this text so that we do not foolishly question why God has not given us a particular grace or gift or why He has chosen to use such means. We should be content with God's ordinance, recognizing that delving into these matters will only lead to our embarrassment, for true wisdom lies solely in His divine will.
Also, let us observe what is immediately stated in this text, namely, that it is God's will that there should be an order of ministry or service. It is as if to say that God could indeed bring us to perfection by Himself, without any other means or assistance, yet He chooses to be served by men and appoints them to various roles. In doing so, He makes these ministers the means through which His goodness and the praise of our salvation come to us. Therefore, it is incumbent upon men to submit to this divine arrangement.
Some might find it peculiar that instead of speaking solely about the gifts of the Holy Ghost, Paul leads us to offices. He initiated this discussion by explaining how our Lord Jesus Christ gives gifts according to what He deems suitable for us, providing these gifts in various ways to fully equip us. To reinforce this point, Paul mentions the existence of apostles, shepherds, teachers, and evangelists. It might appear as though he is veering off track from his initial discussion. However, we should note, as we see more extensively in the first Corinthians, that our Lord Jesus Christ has established and maintained the order we have already discussed in His church. His intention is that there should be shepherds, prophets, and teachers. He promptly equips them with what is necessary for the execution of their duties. He does not operate as humans do. In our case, we can appoint one person as a magistrate and another as a preacher. Yet, we cannot provide them with the essential qualities for their respective roles. We cannot transform a person into someone entirely new once they have been elevated to a position of honour; they remain fundamentally the same. Similarly, when selecting shepherds, we may choose a person who ultimately proves unsuitable, as we cannot bestow upon them the qualifications they require. However, when individuals are chosen by God Himself, and they yield to His divine will entirely, other gifts are added to their responsibilities.
When our Lord Jesus chose His apostles, He selected simple fishermen and those who were not highly esteemed. Nevertheless, He effectively used them for the proclamation of His gospel, initially as heralds to announce the arrival of the King. But when He intended to send them forth to perform their duties, He sent them the Holy Spirit, indicating, as He does in many other passages, that everything necessary for the well-being of the church must come as a free gift from Him. This is because it is well understood that all things originate from Him, with the ultimate purpose of giving Him all praise. Therefore, it is no wonder that, in speaking of the diversity of gifts and their allocation, Paul purposefully emphasises that God bestows
particular gifts for specific roles. It is as if to say that God has a reason for not granting the same gifts to everyone. He does not desire every individual to be a shepherd, prophet, teacher, apostle, or evangelist. He calls those He chooses, emphasising the importance of humility. Therefore, if we are willing to submit to Him, we should not hesitate to receive our authority and value from Him, rooted in His divine ordinance.
God sometimes leads certain individuals to a private life, yet simultaneously chooses others to proclaim His Word. Therefore, individuals must accept their roles as directed by Him.
Furthermore, let us observe that if men proceed with a fear of God in their elections and seek to obey Him, He will surely demonstrate through their outcomes that those He has called to teach and entrusted with the responsibility of shepherding the flock will not lack His empowerment. Experience bears this out, and it is attested to us that if we gather in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, truly and sincerely, He will be in our midst. We should keep this in mind. Nevertheless, we see that the papacy has manipulated and shaped people to their own ends, causing them to deviate completely from the order established by our Lord Jesus Christ and the manner in which the church was governed in apostolic times.
Let's revisit the main point being discussed here. The intention is to lead us to the previously mentioned unity. Therefore, we should be of one mind, joining together as brethren and aiming at a common goal, all under the leadership of one head who unites us. There should be no envy, ill will, factions, or anything else that may divide us. To bring about this unity, it is stated that there is only one God and one Lord to whom all authority is given, one baptism, and one faith. We are all called to one inheritance. Building on this, it is added that for the sake of confirming this unity, Jesus Christ has ordained that one man should teach the rest, and the congregation should listen to him. With this arrangement, both the speaker and the
listeners should share the same faith. As not all of us can be apostles, teachers, and prophets, He has selected some to occupy these roles. The purpose is to bring us to the aforementioned unity and acknowledge Jesus Christ as our head, with all of us gathered under Him. This is what the Apostle Paul is emphasising.
Now, if there had been any chief or supreme authority designated by God in this world, the bishop who held it should have had superiority over the entire church, and his commission should have extended so far that his sovereignty would have been established everywhere. Surely, St. Paul would not have overlooked this, or else, if he had, it would have been a grave omission inspired by the Holy Ghost. He would not have omitted the principal and most convenient point of his message. Therefore, if there were nothing else, this text alone would suffice to refute the audacity of those who claim that there must be a supreme head in this world, arguing that because Jesus Christ has left this world, there must be a vicar. However, it is certain that St. Paul meant to convey what we have seen in other texts, which is that St. Peter's apostleship did not extend to us, for he was appointed specifically to the Jews, as is stated in Galatians 2.
In any case, we see here the continuous order that we must maintain and adhere to if we wish to be subject to our Lord Jesus Christ. This does not involve having a pope, but rather, each church should have its own shepherds and teachers according to their needs, the number of people, and the requirements of the place. This ensures that when we are united in one body as a church, we may have lawful governance. It is impossible for us to do otherwise due to our immaturity and the weakness of our faith. Therefore, it is necessary for us to accept the remedy provided by our Lord Jesus Christ, so that we may submit ourselves to His word and authority.
This is the essence of what we must emphasize in our resistance. Paul proceeds to highlight the immeasurable benefits and fruits that arise from
maintaining this order. As mentioned earlier, some individuals are so proud that they desire to lord over others. Hence, nothing is better than understanding that God, in His wisdom, has established this order of governance, appointing shepherds to teach us. It is contrary to our own salvation when we stubbornly resist and reject what God has ordained for our well-being.
Truly, if there were nothing else to consider but the fact that God has willed it, then we should willingly submit to His commandments. However, our hearts often struggle to do so unless we can clearly see that it is for our own benefit. God's intent is not only to humble us but also to elevate us by establishing this order. Therefore, it is not sufficient to merely obey God's commands or do so reluctantly. We must eagerly embrace them, knowing that they are for our own good.
Now that we understand that this order is particularly essential for our salvation, we should wholeheartedly commit ourselves to it. Otherwise, our ingratitude will be even more reprehensible when we reject what God offers us, not primarily for His sake but for our own benefit. This is what St. Paul intended to convey when he spoke of the preaching of the gospel and the appointment of individuals for this purpose—to bind us together and eliminate dissension.
Furthermore, St. Paul also emphasizes that anyone who rejects common order and strives to be excessively spiritual, as if they are detached from earthly concerns, is in fact, separating themselves from the body of the church and, in doing so, renouncing God. Such individuals should be avoided and shunned like deadly plagues because they sow discord in the church. No matter how much we desire unity, all our efforts will be in vain if we do not adhere to the principles outlined here. Our Lord Jesus intended to unite us firmly within His own body.
Therefore, if any man claims that he will withdraw himself from the obedience of the church, it is akin to severing the sinews of a body. It's like saying you love someone but then cutting their sinews everywhere, causing the entire body to become disjointed, dismembered, and ultimately collapsing into chaos. This analogy holds true for us as well because we are meant to be united, and God has provided for this unity by giving us prophets, teachers, shepherds, and evangelists. Now, if we reject them, what else can be said except that we intend to break apart the unity that our Lord has ordained among us? Indeed, Paul clearly shows us that all who do not submit themselves to the doctrine of the gospel and show reverence to the ministers are deadly enemies of God's people, seeking their own destruction. Therefore, we should avoid them like wolves because they are utterly intolerable, causing the downfall of the church, despising God's well-ordered affairs, and forsaking all that is good.
Furthermore, this edification or building up of the Body of Christ is immediately followed by St. Paul's declaration. This underscores the importance of those who refuse to submit to spiritual authority, which our Lord Jesus has permitted. The Body of our Lord Jesus must be precious to us. Indeed, it would have sufficed if he had said "the church," but by using this honourable title, St. Paul conveys that it would be treacherous for us to attempt to tear the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ apart. Without building it up, it cannot be perfected or maintained in good condition. This building up can only occur through the preaching of God's Word. So, if we desire that God be honoured and served, that our Lord may peacefully rule among us, if we wish to be His people, to live under His protection, to be built up in Him, joined to Him, and to continue in Him until the end, in short, if we desire our salvation, then we must become humble learners, receiving the doctrine of the gospel and listening to the shepherds as if Jesus Christ Himself were speaking to us. We must be confident that He approves of our obedience and faith in listening to mortal men whom He has appointed.
Therefore, let us demonstrate our desire for God's honour, as well as our concern for our own salvation and the well-being and edification of the church. This will happen when all of us, regardless of our status, agree that Jesus Christ should have instruments through which to speak to us and draw us closer to Him. If we follow this order, He will surely bless us, and we will have reason to glorify Him. We will see that it has always been His desire to secure the salvation of our souls and that He is always present with us, working for our ultimate benefit. Now, let us humble ourselves before the majesty of our good God, acknowledging our faults and praying that He makes us feel them deeply. May we be brought low and seek nothing but to be lifted up by Him. May our Lord Jesus have such preeminence over us that we honour Him as He deserves. Let us be under His care, guided by His Holy Spirit, so that His Word may prosper more and more within us and strengthen us. May He bear with our weaknesses and never cease to claim us as His own as long as we live in this world, until we are all gathered into His kingdom. We pray for His grace not only for ourselves but for all.
The Twenty Sixth Sermon, the Sixth on the Fourth
Chapter
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the
sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." - Ephesians 4:11-14
We have seen this morning how God, considering our frailty, has shown His mercy to us by appointing that we should be taught by fellow human beings like ourselves. He also made it clear that He had in mind what would be most suitable for His servants. When He said that He would always send a prophet in Israel from among the people, He intended to convey that we need not search far for Him; He will find a way to be closely present among us. Thus, when the gospel is preached, God's condescension to our limitations is as if He came down to us in person. Therefore, we should not despise the order that He has established for us. Our unfaithfulness would be even more reprehensible if we fail to acknowledge how greatly He loves us and accommodates us according to our limited capacity. While we may not possess the excellent abilities of angels, God provides us with the means necessary for our condition.
Furthermore, let it be known that this provision is not temporary; we must continue in it throughout our entire lives. For if He had not added this, one might argue that we should conform to God's rule for a while, much like sending children to school but not expecting them to spend their entire lives there. It might seem that the previous instructions were intended only for a brief period, and once we have been trained for a year or two, it should be sufficient, and everyone should be sufficiently learned. However, we must understand that as long as we are in this world, we must continue to profit from God's teaching. Our ears must be continually exposed to His Word to restrain us on one side and to strengthen and advance us on the other. Even if we had the ability to learn all that is necessary for our salvation in two or three years, our fickle nature would lead us astray if not held in check. Therefore, God's grace ensures that His Word is preached to us until our dying day, securing our faith and steadfastness.
Moreover, there is an even greater necessity, as those who consider themselves advanced will find that they are still far from the goal they pursue. Therefore, we must daily seek to grow stronger and have the light of our faith increase, just as the daylight grows brighter and reaches its zenith. We must continue to progress until the Sun of Righteousness appears to us. Some may be so stubborn that they refuse to believe this, content with their present knowledge. You will find many who are proud and presumptuous, thinking they surpass even the greatest doctors in the world because they have mastered a few Latin words. Similarly, those who have just begun studying a subject often believe they have already reached perfection, even though they have only scratched the surface. Such people are bolder and more reckless than those who have made substantial progress.
Thus, it is essential to understand that those who diligently continue their education in God's school will find themselves ahead after ten or twenty years. Regardless of how the world sees it, we must heed the apostle's words that God does not intend for us to be instructed in the Gospel for only two or three years; we must persist in it. Even if we live for a hundred years or more in this world, we must remain students, realizing that we are still far from perfection and must continue moving forward. Each of us must motivate ourselves, and God must graciously continue teaching us without interruption so that we may never grow weary. When we have learned a lesson that benefits us, we should not assume that it is already firmly imprinted in our hearts or well-known to us. Even when we have learned one, two, or three lessons, we still need much more. No one is so wellprepared that they do not require further instruction. In short, we must firmly understand that God has ordained this system in His church so that the gospel may be preached. As long as we are on this earthly journey, we should continually return to the school where God teaches us because we walk by faith, not by sight.
In his show, we do not yet have the capacity to behold God's glory, as St. John also states in his first epistle. We shall not see Him as He is until we are all made holy, transfigured, and made like unto God. As St. Paul says elsewhere, we currently see only in part and know only in part because we walk in faith. The source of faith, its nourishment, and its growth come through the word of God, especially when we have preaching and diligently seek edification through it. This is the initial point where our faith begins, and it is the means by which it continues to develop and increase until it is thoroughly perfected.
For this reason, John addressed both old men and young men, including those in the prime of their age, urging them all to submit to the obedience of the gospel. To the old men, he said, "Come, hear Him who was before all time," referring to our Lord Jesus Christ. To the young men and little children, he advised, "Learn to know that you have a Father in heaven," and to the stronger, he said, "Know your strength and life." In short, he showed us that God's children must be humble enough to submit themselves to instruction and teaching from day to day and from year to year. They should recognize that they have not yet reached the desired goal. He added that this should continue until we are all united in the unity of faith.
Because we might easily stray and no bridle could hold us back, as I mentioned earlier, St. Paul reminds us that we have not yet reached the point that these arrogant individuals, puffed up with their vain selfimportance, believe they have already attained. St. Paul says, "Are you not there yet?" While it is true that we should strive for unity, as I have already mentioned, for without harmony, there can be no church or religion among us, and God is not honored or served. Nevertheless, we continue to progress towards this unity, just as we do with all other virtues. As long as we live in this world, we always advance further and further. Life in this world is akin to a race or a path appointed by God.
When people speak to us about the unity of faith, it is not to suggest that Christians should hold differing and opposing opinions while they are in the process of learning and growing. Rather, it is to convey that our faith cannot truly be one until it is firmly established. There will always be imperfections and weaknesses, and there will always be clouds of ignorance. Therefore, we must continue to strive toward the goal set before us.
Furthermore, we must take note of what is crucial for us concerning the knowledge of the Son of God. In this, He shows us the essence of our faith, which is not about wavering or uncertainty but about comprehending who Jesus Christ is, understanding His power, and recognizing the benefits He brings with Him. This is the true perfection of faith, a notable point indeed. We can observe how the world, in its misery, has been led astray in the past and continues to be misled by the Pope. They often engage in devoutness, torment themselves with great effort, and tirelessly inquire about various matters, filled with questions. Yet, they remain unfulfilled, just as Paul described those who are always learning but never gaining wisdom. I am speaking of these hypocrites who despise the simplicity of the gospel and turn away from Jesus Christ to follow their own foolish inventions. They engage in speculations and make great efforts, but they will never truly gain wisdom.
Since all the treasures of wisdom and understanding are stored in Jesus Christ, we must fix our gaze upon Him. In Him alone will we find the entire substance of our salvation. When we desire to know what Jesus Christ, given to us by God the Father, has accomplished through His death and passion to reconcile us, when we wish to understand that He alone is the source of our righteousness, and when we recognize that we are cleansed from all impurities by His blood, that He has satisfied all our debts, that He has sanctified us with His Holy Spirit for God's service, and that He is our advocate, making us find favor in our prayers and supplications—once we
understand all this, we can dismiss all the knowledge that others claim to possess, knowledge they have imagined without certainty. For this reason, Paul explicitly mentions the knowledge of the Son of God here, to better define the word "faith." This term is frequently used, and everyone claims to believe in it. However, when asked, those who boast of themselves as pillars of the church and devout Catholics may stumble when questioned about the essence of faith. They may say it's about believing in God, but even the Turks and pagans say the same. Yet, despite this, they condemn the Turks because they argue that the Turks don't truly know what it means to believe. The same can be said of the Papists. How do we differ from them? We, who call ourselves Christians, understand that God has sent us Jesus Christ to elevate us. We are certain that because He is our Father, He will not hold our sins against us but will accept us into His favor through His own boundless goodness. He counts us as righteous when we humble ourselves through genuine repentance and place our trust in Jesus Christ, acknowledging that there is nothing in us except our own wretchedness. You can see, then, that our Lord Jesus Christ is the true target or aim we set our sights on. If a person were to use a longbow, crossbow, or gun and had no target before them, but simply discharged their weapon at random...
Now, this way or that way, what a shooting it is! Similarly, the situation is such for those who do not aim at our Lord Jesus Christ. They only wander and entangle themselves in many troubles. We would constantly be at risk of being misled and deceived by people if we did not know Jesus Christ and firmly establish our entire faith in Him. We must be confident that He is the essence of our faith. Furthermore, I want to emphasise that this is for the age of perfection and our true fulfilment. As I mentioned earlier, we must understand that as long as we live in this world, we must continue to grow and progress because we are aware of the many imperfections within us, and we have not yet reached our full potential.
However, it should not be assumed that we remain as little children forever, as Paul will add later. Here he sets out three stages of age. First, there is infancy and childhood. Second, there are the years beyond twelve, before discretion and self-governance have fully developed, during which time we must continue to learn and grow. Finally, when a person reaches the age of forty, they are considered to be in their prime. By that age, they should have acquired some proficiency in both body and mind, enabling them to rest. This does not mean we should not continue to learn even in our later years, but this is how St. Paul presents it.
First, he states that we must listen to the gospel until we reach full maturity. But when is that? It is at our safety in death. We must not measure our years as men do, for after a person has passed fifty, it may appear that their senses and intelligence are declining. However, St. Paul says that we will never reach full maturity until we are freed from this physical body. Therefore, the spiritual maturity of Christians is attained when they depart from this world.
But let us examine our current state. Since we began to progress in the Gospel, we are like half-grown children. Some may be past fifteen or even twenty years of age, yet they do not see the need to continue learning daily. They still require learning and are aware that they have not reached the final step. They have not acquired a stable and well-informed judgment as required. It may happen that a twenty-year-old has mastered all the sciences he was taught, but he is still immature. He lacks the ability to apply this knowledge because he is not yet fully developed. For even at that age, he is still like green corn or unripe grapes in a vineyard.
Therefore, Paul uses this analogy to convey that as long as Christians are alive, even if they are eighty or ninety years old, they must continue to be like children who willingly submit to being governed because they know they lack full discretion. Yet, Paul tells us not to be like infants who have no understanding, unable to distinguish between good and evil. Instead, we
must bear in mind that even if we have seen and experienced much in the world, and have travelled extensively and engaged in numerous activities, we are not so wise that we have nothing left to learn. The issue here pertains to God's wisdom, which surpasses all human intellect. We may receive much commendation from the world and believe ourselves to be exceedingly wise, yet we only possess partial knowledge. Therefore, we must not deceive ourselves with overconfidence, thinking ourselves wise enough. I am speaking about those who are capable of teaching others. Even they must continue learning like the rest. Those who speak must also receive instruction.
In summary, we must firmly believe that if we do not progress personally, we regress. It is crucial to remain vigilant and avoid complacency, thinking there is nothing more to learn. We must acknowledge that our life is like a journey, and we should continue to advance and gain ground, just as travellers progress on their journey. We should strive for improvement, gaining more knowledge and understanding with each passing day, whether it involves deepening our understanding of what we thought we already knew or learning entirely new concepts from others. Older individuals are diligent in accumulating wealth as they approach their death, fearing their weakness and dependence on others. We, on the other hand, should feel great shame if we do not amass a wealth of God's Word in our old age, considering the continued presence of weakness and sin within us.
If we do not strive to be continually enlightened until the day of the Son of Righteousness, our Lord Jesus Christ, shines upon us like a high noon, we will remain in ignorance. Therefore, it is essential to humble ourselves and avoid excessive self-confidence. We should walk our path with caution, recognizing that we have not reached the end of our journey. This is why St. Paul stated that he did not look back at what he had already accomplished but focused on what remained. Despite his significant achievements and
spiritual experiences, such as being caught up to the third heaven and witnessing divine secrets, he pressed on toward his goal.
Now, what should we do, considering that we are still in the early stages of learning? We should acknowledge that we require new and daily instruction until we are completely free from the weaknesses of our flesh, which will only happen after we depart from this world. We must allow ourselves to be guided and governed like teachable and humble young people, accepting good counsel as necessary. St. Paul attributes this full maturity to our Lord Jesus Christ, implying that we delude ourselves with unfounded selfassurance when we rely solely on our own understanding. Once we truly know Jesus Christ, we will recognize our many imperfections.
Jesus Christ is referred to as the Wisdom of God, His eternal Word, and His image so that we may learn from Him and see God's glory in His person, which would otherwise be invisible to us. However, can we truly comprehend God's infinite wisdom or fully grasp His glory? We fall far short of such understanding. Therefore, we should avoid the foolish presumption that we know more than we do and instead look to our Lord Jesus Christ. Many people become overly self-assured, thinking that they can achieve faith on their own. St. Paul reminds us that faith is a gift from God, and our role is to diligently engage with His Word, attend sermons, read, and listen to good teachings to strengthen our faith. However, we should not rely on our own wisdom, for our Lord Jesus Christ must work in us through His Holy Spirit.
Therefore, let us remain humble and become learners in God's school. This humility involves recognizing that everything we have comes from God. On the other hand, St. Paul warns against being like children who are easily swayed by various doctrines or tossed about like chaff in the wind. We must not be deceived by worldly influences. St. Paul divides our spiritual growth
into three stages. The first is childhood, before we receive any instruction, when we are like ignorant beings without the ability to discern God's truth.
There are many such children in the world, even at the age of three or four school years. When St. Paul speaks of children, he uses a metaphor and does not refer to the counting of days, months, or years. His meaning is that those who waver and are as unstable as a boat tossed upon water are like little children. It is true that the Scripture sometimes uses the term "child" in a different sense. For example, when St. Peter exhorts us to be like newborn babes, desiring the milk of soundness and putting away all malice. Our Lord Jesus also encourages us to be like babes, meaning that we should not be puffed up with presumption and pride, making no high estimation of ourselves and not being troubled by the lusts that trouble us.
In this sense, it is good to be like babes or little children. However, in another sense, St. Paul warns against being babes in understanding, which means being so doubtful and wavering that one is sure of nothing. Many people in the world remain in such ignorance and stubbornness. The world is filled with such babes who resist settling in God's truth and easily follow others' opinions. When asked about the gospel, some may respond that it must be good because God is its author. However, they are unable to provide a reasoned explanation of their faith, revealing their lack of understanding. They persist in their ignorance and prefer to remain as little babes.
Others may appear knowledgeable and capable of giving an account of their faith, but when faced with challenges or heresies, they become perplexed. They quickly abandon their previously held beliefs and are easily swayed. This shows that they have not put in the effort to progress and become more steadfast in their faith.
urthermore, besides likening men to babes, St. Paul presents another similitude, saying that such individuals are like reeds that sway with every
wind or like a boat adrift upon the waves of the sea. This may not apply directly to little babes, but St. Paul's intention is to highlight the wretched state of those who are not firmly grounded in the Gospel. There is no greater wretchedness than being tossed and wavering at every wind, having no stability in matters concerning our salvation. If we were under constant threat, living in fear and trembling every minute of the day, we might prefer to die quickly rather than endure such uncertainty. However, our eternal souls are at stake, and we cannot afford to be so unstable.
St. Paul meant to address our slothfulness and recklessness and motivate us to action. He says that we must not be susceptible to the deceit of men. He uses a term related to dice playing, which is known for its lack of faithfulness and trustworthiness. Dice games are notorious for being deceptive, with players often resorting to cunning tactics to deceive their opponents. Even little children, not in the sense of infants but young individuals who act prematurely as adults, tend to become indignant when someone prevents them from being deceived. If all games were allowed without restraint, there would be numerous victims everywhere. Young heirs, barely a dozen years old, would be exploited and tricked, losing their possessions.
Therefore, when St. Paul speaks of the steadfastness of faith in the gospel, he employs comparisons from everyday life and common experiences. He emphasises that without a well-established faith, a determined commitment to walk in God's truth until the end, and an unwavering stance, we are like little children susceptible to deception and exploitation. We will encounter deceivers and swindlers who will plunder us without our awareness, leaving us astonished at our impoverishment. St. Paul's point is to remind us of the need for vigilance and discernment because when we let our guard down, we become vulnerable. In times of peace, we tend to relax, party, and neglect our responsibilities. However, when danger threatens, we understand the importance of remaining vigilant and guarding ourselves.
St. Paul tells us that there will always be threats and attempts to deceive us. We live in a world with a variety of harmful influences. There will always be wicked company seeking to undermine our faith. There will be scoffers, heathens, and others who desire chaos and will try to spread their poison and heresies to corrupt and infect people. In short, the devil employs countless strategies to deceive us, and people are often eager participants in these deceptions.
There are enough proponents of false beliefs who willingly offer themselves, finding contentment in such a course. As Paul tells us, if we do not make a determined effort to advance in God's Word, we will surely be ensnared, tossed to and fro, and carried away in every direction like children. Without careful consideration, even those among us who seem the most grounded will stumble and, within a step or two, fall disastrously. It is not only here in Scripture that we are warned not to remain as little children in understanding. We can observe that the people of the Jews received this admonition as well. Isaiah, for instance, reproved them, saying that they behaved like perpetual infants still in their ABCs, trapped in their brutishness. Despite having been reminded countless times, they always needed to be taught the basics repeatedly.
The Prophet condemned them, especially in the context of God's doctrine. He said that they acted like little children and behaved like beasts in this regard. In worldly matters, they might be crafty, but when it came to matters of salvation, they understood nothing. The Lord warned that He would punish those who scorned being taught in His school. Therefore, let us strive to reach spiritual maturity. While we may not attain perfection in this world, we should not remain as complete novices or unlearned. We should demonstrate that God's gracious gift of His Word to us has not been in vain.
Furthermore, we must realize that our lack of preparedness against the devil's tricks is our own fault. By diligently seeking growth in the Gospel and God's Word, we can equip ourselves with the necessary armour and weaponry to fend off the devil's deceptions and falsehoods. This is the way to understand and resist Satan's schemes and to repel his attacks. Having the Word of God will serve as our sword, shield, and helmet, as we shall see in the sixth chapter. In short, we will be well-equipped to withstand assaults. Therefore, if we find ourselves wavering and easily influenced, we must recognise that it is a result of our own negligence. Such feeble-mindedness, if it continues, may lead to God's just punishment, as Moses warned in Deuteronomy 13. When false prophets arise and the people heed them, it signifies a lack of love for God and a failure to remain steadfast in His fear. If we are prone to being light-headed, we must arm ourselves with these exhortations from saints like Paul. When heresy emerges, we should understand that it serves as a trial for those who are truly devoted. Let us be aware that our inconsistency in God's Word and our faith faltering in the face of temptation are due to our own carelessness. This should motivate us not only to seek sustenance through God's Word but also to resist Satan and his allies, defending ourselves against all assaults that may come our way.
As our Lord pairs His sacraments with His Word, let us derive benefit from them together. With the Holy Supper approaching next Sunday, let us recognise it as our spiritual armour, designed to fortify us against Satan. It serves as a further strengthening of us after we have been instructed in God's Word. Therefore, we must not, through our ungratefulness and frivolity, let the means provided by God go to waste. Instead, let us heed St. Paul's counsel.
On the other hand, we should acknowledge our own weakness and the need for divine assistance. God's coming to us in this manner is an invitation for us to draw closer to Him and offer thanks for His kindness. Let us make an effort to complement the Word with the sacraments and the sacraments with
the Word. This should inspire us to turn to our Guardian, who will aid us on the path of salvation. In the end, it should become evident that our journey has not been in vain, and our expectations have not been disappointed.
Now, let us humble ourselves before the majesty of our good God, confess our sins, and pray for the grace to deeply feel our faults, leading us to repentance. May we not only be sorry for our transgressions but also resist the sinful desires of our flesh, which hinder our obedience to God's Word and the governance of our lives accordingly. Recognising that the path to both of these goals involves profiting from His Word, may God grant us the continual benefit of His Word, enabling us to use it wisely and strive for growth in it.
May He work within us through His Holy Spirit, so that His Word takes root in us, bearing fruit in our lives until the end. May we be so firmly grounded in Him that our love and fear of Him continue to grow within us. Ultimately, may He gather us into His inheritance. May this grace be extended not only to us but also to all people and nations on Earth.
The Twenty Seventh Sermon, the Seventh on the
Fourth Chapter
"But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part,
maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." - Ephesians 4:15-16
We have learned here that we must maintain the order God has established among us in order to make progress in God's school throughout our lives. Since God has not ordained anything superfluous, we must conclude that we will never achieve perfect learning while we live in this world. We will always need to continue learning, and we will not reach our destination until the end of our lives.
Recognizing that we have only scratched the surface of what we must attain and that our faith will always be somewhat weak, we should strive all the more to be strengthened and draw closer to God. In doing so, we will not resemble little children who waver and are swayed by every wind, lacking stability in their faith. By diligently seeking to learn from God's Word, we will be equipped to withstand the tricks of Satan and the deceit of wicked individuals.
Even though God may not bring us to perfection instantly, allowing us to remain somewhat feeble, we will always have a good remedy if we receive what He offers us and apply it wisely. The means to achieve this, as shown here, is to follow the truth and love one another. St. Paul seems to suggest that the knowledge of God and love for our neighbors should not be separated. He emphasizes this because our unity would not be as effective without Jesus Christ as the bond of our harmony, and it is grounded in God's Word.
St. Paul's intention here is to differentiate between us and the heathens and unbelievers. All would agree that chaos ensues among people when they behave like dogs and cats. Throughout history, across nations and among various cultures, it has been considered a fundamental principle that unity and agreement among people are valuable. Even those who did not
understand true religion recognized the benefits of harmony and cooperation, although they often lacked a solid foundation for it.
Therefore, St. Paul begins with God's truth, suggesting that we should not only unite among ourselves but also let God lead us. We must obey Him and gather under Him, making Him our ruler. We must choose to stand together against the whole world rather than turning away from Him. The key point in this text is that God doesn't want us to come together without a purpose. He desires us to agree in worship and service to Him and to place our complete trust in His infinite goodness. Jesus Christ should be our head, and we should all be members of His Body through the power of faith.
Once we understand that we have a heavenly Father who has adopted us as His children and that Jesus Christ has taken on our flesh and substance, making us one with Him, we should be motivated to love one another, care for each other's salvation, and help one another to the best of our abilities, as granted by God. As it is said in the Psalm, the friendship of brothers is precious, and the Prophet likens it to the anointing oil poured upon the priests. This illustrates that living in peace and harmony with one another is a blessed thing.
The brotherhood that we intend to form must be consecrated and dedicated to God's name. Just as the anointing oil was poured over Aaron and his successors, it should symbolize that our unity is sanctioned by God. Otherwise, our fellowship may exist, but it will be cursed, and its ultimate end will only lead to confusion.
To lead a good life, we must ensure that our unity is grounded in truth. This warning is especially relevant today, as critics often accuse us of causing division and unrest in the world due to our efforts to seek truth and revive faith. In the past, there was no debate as everyone simply accepted the status quo. Now, to drive the devil out of his possession, we must diligently seek and follow the truth.
Unbelievers often resist God and cannot tolerate the truth. Their stubbornness and opposition to the truth have led to conflicts and religious wars. We desire that everyone should submit to God's Word and unify in faith. We seek a true unity based on the simplicity of the gospel. However, the papacy opposes these ideas and criticizes us. Our doctrine only aims to have unity in worship and following God's word while eliminating corruption in His service.
On the other hand, the papists cling to their errors and abominations, unwilling to give preeminence to Jesus Christ. They have stripped Jesus of His officers and distorted His saints, treating them as advocates who can obtain favor with God through their merits. Their doctrine is riddled with errors and superstitions, and they even oppose God Himself, attempting to eradicate the memory of Jesus Christ through violence and persecution.
What should we do in this case? There is no compromise with them, except by renouncing God's truth. We know the order taught to us here by the Holy Ghost. St. Paul could have simply said, "Agree, my friends," but he foresaw that this would be insufficient and that his doctrine could be misinterpreted. Therefore, he says, "Let us be united in the truth." We should be willing to forsake all worldly friendships and incur the anger of unbelievers and rebels against God rather than deviate one inch from the truth.
If we aim to have a harmonious agreement in the truth, none of us should be self-centered. Instead, we should seek the welfare and salvation of our neighbours. This is the harmony that should exist among us. We must be cautious about compromising with God's enemies, striving not to please them. While it is important to seek peace and unity with all people as much as possible, God's truth must always be upheld, and we must value it more than anything in the world. Those who seek to please creatures while turning away from God's truth will ultimately find themselves unhappy.