The miracles of Jesus - Classical Christian Literature by Athleo.net

OF CHRIST'S ROBE 93
The Church of the Lord Jesus is a glorious robe
the Holy Catholic Church, with its simple and
majestic creeds, its
solemn sacraments and services,
and i fc thronging followers the world over. It is
the Body of which Christ is the Head, and the Body
is clothed to us in divine grace and majesty. The
Body of Christ is not dead, in the tomb, subject to
corruption, but is alive, and in the Church, instinct
with life and power in every fibre. He is the indwelling
presence which enables the Church to give out the
rich comfort, the inspiring fellowship, the educating
influences, the surging enthusiasm which are experienced
by the members of the Church. He is the
attractive and vitalising power by which the Church
becomes a home to
the saintly of the earth, a school
wherein are trained labourers, sufferers, missionaries,
and teachers for the evangelisation of all men, one
great gathering place ever spreading and multiplying
until the world, purified and sanctified, shall be
embraced in its everlasting arms.
But as to the Church also, the souls needing
shelter and succour must touch ; and not the Church
only, but the Christ who is the indwelling power
giving to all efficiency and glory. There is a disposition
abroad at this time to so exalt the Church as
hide the Christ, so to display the garments as to conceal
the living presence of the Head. The Church is
only useful as it becomes a vehicle for Christly life
and power to be communicated to
garments are only profitable when used to
to the health and efficiency
to
believing souls, as
contribute
of the person who wears
them. It is perilous to join the Church and be
destitute of Christ, and it is as perilous to profess to be