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UNITY

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 14, 1900

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 77, No. 33.

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UNITY

By Wm. Covert

WM. COVERT.
Jesus prayed that his disciples might be one, even as he and the Father are one.
When this prayer is fulfilled, the gospel cause will speedily triumph.
That which, more than anything else, now stands in the way of this is selfishness — a desire for preference and first place or advantage in things.
Such a spirit manifested by a person who calls himself a brother does more to retard the work of truth than does the opposition of an avowed enemy.
Christ’s prayer for believers is that they may be one in him, that the world may believe. To-day the world’s people fail to believe in Christ because those who profess to be his followers fail to reveal him. Many non-professors are looking to see a manifestation of Christ in the life of those who claim to follow him; but too often they hear and see that which they know to be unkind and even bitter, and therefore turn away discouraged.
In one of his many entreaties for unity, Paul said: “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Cor. 1 : 10. The Corinthian church was divided into factions with reference to the ministry, giving preference to different men according to the estimation that carnal minds placed upon them. This condition of things greatly hindered the church in its work, besides saddening the hearts of those ministers who were striving to save sinners, rather than to build up themselves.
As the apostle proceeded with his epistle, he showed that men, as to power and success, are nothing, but that the Lord is everything, even being all in all. No increase can result from any man’s labor only as God gives it; and no laborer can accomplish anything except as he becomes an instrument in the Lord’s hands.
All are to let the mind of Christ dwell and work in them, and so be perfectly joined together in one mind and one judgment. Instead of an unpleasant, critical spirit, they are to be so filled with the heavenly spirit and power that nothing can resist their work and influence for the right.
Christ gave the following promises to those who will labor in the right spirit: “For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.” Luke 21 : 15. In the case of Stephen, it was said: “And they [the adversaries] were not able to withstand the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.” Acts 6 : 10. If men to-day will be emptied of self and filled with the Spirit, as Stephen was, they will be moved by the same power that was manifested through him.
The same ability will also be shown in their teaching of Christ, or in defending the truth. Also their wisdom in the cause will be as marked, and their success as great, as that of this earnest martyr.
But this unity can never exist until the mind of Christ only, moves and dwells in the hearts of all believers. The Lord can be known only through one mind, and his will can be wrought only by one power.
Unity will prevail when the love that moved Jesus to leave heaven, and impelled him in his mission of salvation, dwells in all hearts. The unity that shall leaven all things is that which dwelt in the infinite bosom, and called into being the universe. The eye that can behold this unity has that singleness of vision which fills the whole body with light. The tongue that can tell it is one touched with the living coal from off heaven’s flaming altar. The faith that believes it is the faith that abides in the mind of Christ our Saviour, and passes into action through the faculties of his children. The joy that responds to this theme of glory is that which emanates from the throne where righteousness reigns supreme, and judgment and justice preside together.
Unity is not manufactured by efforts, nor produced from resolutions, but is a child born from above, whose kindred inhabit heaven. Its goings forth have been of old, and its continuation will be to everlasting. Those who shall live eternally must come into this unity. Division must cease. Strife must end with all who will be ready for translation; for translated ones are going to a place where there are no divided minds.
Is it not high time for God’s people to gather together? The great day of the Lord is fast approaching, and it behoves every one to seek the Lord that he may be hid in the time of the coming storm.
Of course there can be no compromises made with error; but every one can well afford to surrender his selfishness and bickering, get rid of his folly, and become one with the Lord and his people.