There is not a greater instance of the depravity of the human mind, and the corruption of the judgment, than its seeking happiness in the shadow instead of the substance. What is all created good but the shadow of him that created it? Yet we are prone to grasp at the shadow, and seek to be satisfied with it, while we neglect God the substance. But all, like a shadow, eludes our embrace; still we are restless and pursuing: it is just the same in spiritual things: we are prone to take up and rest satisfied with the shadow of things, without the body, which is Christ: yea, so foolish are we, that unless we are kept, even after we have known the substance and fulness of Christ, and see that we are complete in him, we turn again to trust in the shadow of our own works and duties. This is awful! "But the body is Christ."
Jehovah, Father, Son, and Spirit, have put the glory of every attribute and perfection of the godhead in the body of Christ: "In him dwelleth" –not the fulness merely–"ALL the fulness of the godhead bodily." Col. 2:9. God the Father says," Behold mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth." Isa. 42:1. God's soul can delight in nothing but where his glory is. Again, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him." Matt. 17:5. God cannot be well pleased with any one who is not, like himself, perfect in holiness, righteousness, and truth: of these, not one of all the human race is possessed: therefore, God is so far from being well pleased with us, as we are in ourselves, that he hates and abhors us.
But here is our special mercy, God loves us, he hath chosen us, and blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the body of Christ: by Christ's body we are redeemed from all our sins, he "bare our sins in his own body on the tree." I Pet. 2:24. In Christ's righteous body we are justified and sanctified: "we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Christ, once for all." Heb. 10:10. Yea. "by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." Heb. 10:14.
Of this "the Holy Ghost is witness to us." Heb. 10:15. This is his blessed office, to glorify Christ to our view and in our hearts. The Father calls on us to behold Christ and to hear him. The Holy Spirit enables to this, and fills us with all joy and peace in believing. Here then things are brought to one single point: all our righteousness, holiness, peace, comfort, and joy, are in Christ. Are we reconciled to God? Has God put all his glory in Him? Then let us seek all our happiness there.
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