The True Relationship of Workers for Christ
By Chas. P. Whitford
The great Captain of our salvation, under whose instructions and directions we labor, has said, “All ye are brethren.” Upon a knowledge of the true meaning of this relationship will in a measure depend our success as workers for Christ. Another term for brethren is brothers. The term is suggestive of the family relation: we are all members of the same family, and Christ is brother to us all; for has he not said that he is not ashamed to call us brethren? Christ, then, is my Elder Brother. The same relation exists between me and my fellow laborers that exists between me and my Elder Brother in heaven. We are all in the same family; we are all one flesh; we are all engaged in the same work. We are “workers together,” not separate and apart from Christ, but workers together with him. We can not appreciate the relation existing between us as individuals until we fully recognize this truth as a fact. Since through Jesus Christ I have brothers on a higher and holier plane than the flesh, in that they belong to the same family with which Christ, my Elder Brother, is connected, it is clear that as I treat one of these brothers on the earth, so I treat my Elder Brother in heaven. I am sure this is true, for he says: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” And as I would not speak against my Elder Brother, nor carry an evil report against him, I should exercise the same care not to speak one word that will in any way tend to reflect upon the integrity of character and sincerity of purpose of my younger brother. When this relationship is hallowed by the touch of that love which causes our Elder Brother to bear with us in our sins, we shall regard this relationship as so sacred that we shall gladly bear with our brothers in their sins. We should never forget that our Elder Brother bore “our sins in his own body on the tree.” When one of our natural brothers in the flesh is overtaken by some physical infirmity, how solicitous we are for his recovery, and how quickly we hasten for a physician! Why?—Ah, it is because of our love for him. But when one of our brothers in Christ gives evidence of spiritual infirmity, are we as solicitous for his recovery as we are when our natural brother is sick? Do we hasten to the Great Physician in earnest prayer, never resting until our brother in Christ is restored to a condition of spiritual health and strength? When the glad day comes that the true relationship of workers in all departments of the cause is recognized and lived out in the life, then the earth will be lightened with the glory of God. It would be well for each one to adopt the method of David, who said: “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud.” When several are laboring together, it is a good plan to mention each member of the company by name while communing with God alone in prayer. Remember that prayer is the soul’s sincere desire. Every day meet for prayer, and read the Word of God together. At this family meeting, present both your encouraging and your discouraging experiences, and talk them over together. If a brother or a sister becomes discouraged, let every member of the company seek to stimulate faith and courage. Kind words have their effect upon saddened hearts. Let there be no seeking for preeminence; avoid it as a viper ready to sting your soul. Do not seek an easy place in the Lord’s work, but let each manifest a willingness to take the hard and trying places. In this will be found the greatest, richest, and sweetest blessing. Let there be no lord in the company except the Lord Jesus Christ. Let him who stands at the head of the company show himself to be a father, not a lord over God’s heritage. Never counsel with one member of the company to the exclusion of the other members; all are supposed to be equally interested in the success of the meeting, and there should be careful and full counsel concerning every part of the work. When one stands before the public, let all pray for him as earnestly as they would wish him to pray for them if they were standing in his place. Let all have the same burden for the audience, that they may see and accept the truth, that they would have if they themselves were speaking. As early as possible, become acquainted with those who attend. Learn their names, and mention them4in prayer for the Spirit’s blessing. If evil is spoken to you concerning a member of the company, let your first thought be, ‘He is my brother.’ Then be sure to examine your own heart well before you consider the report concerning this brother. Have as your motto, “All we are brethren, and Christ is our Elder Brother.” Spend much time with the people, and be sure that the Lord is with you when you go to visit them at their homes. I believe that if these suggestions are accepted, acted upon, and become a part of our lives, our united prayers and labors will bring satisfactory results, and God will establish the work of our hands.