The “body” is not used to express union with Christ, for the body is united to Christ by the Holy Spirit. Those who are together in the practice of this truth are “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” The Holy Spirit constitutes the unity of the body. They are seeking to walk in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit — a divine Person who will not bend His ways to us — we must bend our ways, in the truth, to Him. People suppose that because they are members of Christ, they must consequently have the practice of such a truth. None can have the practice of it (although really members of it) unless walking in practical submission to the Spirit; it is impossible to have it avowedly apart from such. The common practice of the day is to accept divine principles and terms apart from their practice. Scripture is too strong for this.
May our hearts be led into that love of the truth, and love in the truth, and for the truth’s sake!
F. G. Patterson, adapted