Christian Unity

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · May 26, 1904

(Concluded) *

PAUL associated with himself in the ministry Silas, because he was a man that Paul naturally took a liking to, but God designed that opposites should come together and be unified. Mark went with Barnabas. But later on when Paul was in prison, he said, Send Mark down to me, for I have need of him in the ministry. The very one he separated from he needed. We are in need of the very strength and help that comes from counsel; and even though we differ greatly in many respects, God designs that this shall be the greatest evidence to the world of his power, that by our love for one another and our unity all men should know that we are his disciples.

But this is a hard thing for the natural man. “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” “For I say . . . to every man that is among you [high or low], not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye can not say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: and those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. . . . That there should be no division in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”

Notice the instruction given in Ephesians 5, verses 17-21. “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”

This is not what the natural man would do. “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God.” But in these verses is presented the sanctified individuality that submits the one to the other. “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account.” Heb. 13:17. The marginal reading for the words “that have the rule over you,” is “that guide you.” See also 1 Peter 5, reading from the first verse: “The elders which are among you I exhort. . . . Feed the flock of God which is among you.” The word “feed” in this passage is derived from the same original word as that rendered “rule” in the other texts quoted. So it means, Obey them that feed you from the Word of God. “Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. . . . Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” Notice the words in the second chapter of Philippians, beginning at the second verse: “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”

Suppose we should come together to counsel with that feeling in our hearts, — having a better impression of others, thinking more of their ideas, that they are even more conscientious than we are, and that they are united to God as well as we, — then the scripture promise could be claimed, and would be fulfilled, “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” The result of such counsel would be binding, and whatever would be bound in such counsel would be bound in heaven.

When, however, men meet with the determination to see their own ideas and plans carried irrespective of the views and feelings of others, it can only result in division; but when men come together to ascertain what God’s mind in the matter is, they will esteem others better than themselves. We would all lay all our plans on the altar, as Abraham laid his son Isaac, believing that God will resurrect them if they are right, but if they are consumed, it is best so. Truth will come to the surface when we come together with that feeling. This is just what the church should be, and when this is so, the individual should regard the voice of the church as the voice of God, whether the church is composed of one hundred members or of three.

I believe that this is the true teaching of the Word of God in regard to the question of unity, and I firmly believe that this is what God is trying to bring about among the remnant people. But I can also see that the enemy recognizes that in such a unity there is a strength that withstands all his efforts, and so he is doing his utmost to bring in disunion. There is weakness and defeat in division. As I remarked in the beginning, I have passed through this experience the last few weeks, and it has brought the greatest blessing to me that I have ever felt in my life. I have learned the lesson that I have tried to set before you this morning, and so instead of looking upon myself as a complete whole, and able to walk out in different lines independent of my brethren’s counsel, I feel that in their counsel there is strength and wisdom, and that this is the way of ascertaining the mind of the Lord. I believe this is the only safe course to pursue. The blessing of the Lord will rest upon that people who believe and obey these principles.

Christian Unity *

Christian Unity