Unity of Action by John Nevins Andrews

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 2, 1873

Unity of Action.

By John Nevins Andrews

To accomplish any work to advantage, those who engage in it need to be able to work in perfect union. Otherwise, the work will be marred and delayed, and the time and strength of the workmen will be wasted. We have no reason to believe that the apostles in their work thwarted one another, or labored at cross purposes. As they command us to be perfectly joined together in the same mind and judgment, we may be certain that in their conduct they illustrated what they command in us. It was possible for them by the aid of the Spirit of God to act in unity in the work which God gave them to do. It is possible for us to act thus, if we have hearts as unselfish as theirs, and if we have the cementing influence of the Spirit of God to save us from alienation, and to give us unity of feeling.

Our union is in God if it be a true and real union. His truth must be its basis; his Spirit, that which shall make it vital and endearing. The people who are thus united in the cause and work of God may certainly expect his help and guidance. In all past ages, God has helped his people at every important crisis, and has done this just in proportion as they have been true to him. He has performed this by raising up and qualifying men to fill places of great responsibility in his work, and he has clearly taught our duty toward those whom he has appointed to lead out and to bear rule in his work. It is here that the gifts of the Spirit of God are of the highest importance in the Christian church; for these will clearly determine the persons whom God chooses to fill the places of greatest responsibility in his work.

In every important enterprise among men, it is necessary that they be able to act in harmony if they would insure success. This is equally important in the work of God. Shall we say that God cannot secure in his work what men are able to secure in theirs? Is God well pleased with confusion and disorder? Is there no alternative but a choice between confusion and tyranny? Is it not possible for God to be present with his work in all ages in the manner indicated by his appointment of the several gifts which he has placed in the church? Is it fanaticism to regard 1 Cor. 12 and Eph. 4 as designed to give us practical instruction with regard to the proper performance of the work God has given to his people, and with respect, also, to the unity of their work? In fact, can we be Bible Christians if we practically exclude and disregard such scriptures as the ones just named? Is it not the course of true wisdom to find the divine plan and then to follow it in all its parts? And have we not prospered in proportion as we have done this? J. N. A.