Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
The verse calls believers to make joy full by being united in love, purpose and mind, sharing one heart, spirit and judgment in harmony and agreement. That appeal rests on what they already possess in Christ, consolation in Him, comfort of love, fellowship of the Spirit, and tender mercy and compassion. Such oneness is lived by humility that values others above self, cares for their interests, and follows Christ's self-humbling example instead of acting from rivalry and vainglory. It requires conversion to Christ, yielding of personal ways and opinions, and putting away selfishness, strife, faultfinding and evil speaking through confession, prayer and daily self-denial. When this unity is seen in conduct and labor together, it gives strength to God's work and powerful evidence to the world that God sent Christ, while its neglect hinders the work and dishonors God.
The Call to Oneness
Fulfilment of joy comes through unity, as believers share the same mindset and love and live in united harmony and purpose. That completed joy is Paul's joy, and the apostle's joy and comfort are fulfilled when believers live in love, harmony and unity of purpose. It is also Christ's joy, brought by followers who share the same love and act in harmony, united in purpose and thought. Obeying this instruction belongs to being strong in the Lord, and its instruction tests whether obedience to the teaching of the Bible is present. Shared love and one-mindedness are to be visible in conduct, with nothing done to create discord or strife, as evidence that the gospel has benefited those who profess it.
To be like-minded, to have the same love, to be of one accord and of one mind means sharing one love, purpose, outlook, mind, heart, spirit and judgment, and living in harmony and agreement. It means sharing one purpose and the same love, living in harmony and unity of mind, loving one another with the same love, and being united in purpose and thought. Hearts changed through repentance and conversion, joined to Christ and shaped by His mind, show this oneness in worship marked by reverence and order, and in love, tenderness and compassion instead of malice, faultfinding, bitterness and evil speaking. This unity goes together with humility, putting others before self and caring for their needs and interests, rejecting strife and vainglory and humbly valuing others. The humble, self-giving mind that makes such unity possible is shown in the following example of Christ.
The appeal rests on what believers already have in Christ: consolation in Christ, comfort of love, fellowship of the Spirit, and tender mercy and compassion. The comfort, love, fellowship and mercy found in Christ are to produce unity, so that believers share the same love and purpose. That oneness is formed through fellowship with the Spirit and by putting on Christ, the Holy Spirit working goodness and grace in those who give themselves fully to God, teaching self-denial and obedience, with God's grace enabling this unity and good work in the home and church. The call came to a company bowed in prayer after confession of withheld sins as the way to restored fellowship. Strict unity was seen as necessary and labored for earnestly.
The instruction is God's will and a high standard set in plain words, so clear that there is no excuse for walking contrary to it. It tests obedience to the Bible, must not be passed over indifferently or walked contrary to, but must be walked in, guarded strictly individually and collectively, thankfully obeyed and fulfilled, especially by leading brethren. It means universal humility and benevolence, self-denial and self-sacrifice in good works in every converted man and every converted woman, with the humble-minded precious in the sight of God, revealed by every believer in words sanctified by the Spirit of God and in accordance with the principles of the gospel. Its lessons must not be disregarded but read and studied together with the whole of Philippians 2 and also with Philippians 3, since the instruction is especially important and should be studied with the rest of the chapter.
Its meaning is unfolded by the surrounding verses: do nothing through strife or vainglory, in lowliness of mind esteem others better than self, look not only to one's own interests but also to the interests of others, and have the mind that was in Christ Jesus. Those who follow it do not contend for the highest place nor act from rivalry, vanity, self-seeking, or desire to make other minds travel in the same lines with one's own opinions and ideas. That unity is a remedy for dissension and a pattern of effective missionary work, and an injunction for the church in its work of sanctification through the truth that each person must individually strive to obey. God's servants keep it by counseling together and working in unity instead of each insisting on carrying out his own ideas and plans without interruption, with every movement passing under strict self-examination and every principle of action compared with the principles of God's Word, for in unity there is strength. Christ, being in the form of God, made Himself of no reputation, took the form of a servant in the likeness of men, humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, wherefore God highly exalted Him and gave Him a name above every name that every knee should bow to Jesus in heaven and earth and under the earth, and in that humility reveals the Father. The call belongs with standing fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, in nothing terrified by adversaries, with both believing on Christ and suffering for His sake, and with the provision made in inspired Scripture for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness to make complete and furnish unto every good work, enlightening how to obtain the crown of life and enter into the joy of the Lord.
Humility That Creates Unity
Unity is lived out by humility that puts others ahead of self and cares for their needs, concerns and interests as well as one's own. It follows the self-humbling, self-giving pattern of Christ rather than acting from rivalry, strife, vainglory, selfish ambition or self-seeking. It refuses to contend for the highest place and instead esteems others as better than self in lowliness of mind. Such oneness requires repentance and conversion, with hearts joined to Christ and shaped by His mind. It means putting on Christ, crucifying self so that Jesus rather than self is prominent, and giving self fully to God. The Holy Spirit then works goodness, grace, self-denial and obedience within, and the religion of Christ works as leaven in home and church.
It requires yielding differences of opinion in order to be joined together in one faith, one body, one mind and one judgment. Workers are not to insist on their own ways, plans and ideas, nor to separate from fellow believers or demand that others accept their plans, but to follow their Leader willingly and walk humbly with God. No one is to seek to make other minds travel in his own lines, look for opportunities to differ, cherish differences, compete for leadership in little matters, or bring in what is new and odd and unapproved. Standing in right relation to God as learners in His school brings one mind, heart and spirit and a representation of Christ's character in work and relationships. In a conflict over school management this calls for attitudes out of harmony to be converted and changed rather than expressed in criticism and resistance.
It means sharp, critical self-examination that puts worldly principles, strife, vainglory, oppression and selfishness out of dealings with brethren and the work of God. Murmurings, disputings, malice, faultfinding, bitterness, evil thinking and evil speaking must be put away, for their rule in the heart proves it is not well with the soul and brings disunion and strife. Sanctified speech with disciplined tongue and voice joins God's people into a harmonious whole, while division among those who believe the final message hinders the work and dishonors God. Neglect of this love and obedience, especially after greater light and evidence of God's character and will, brings greater guilt and condemnation. It is cultivated day by day by removing barriers between believers, confessing wrongs and withheld sins, and turning from bitterness and harmful conduct.
Confession of withheld sins restores fellowship and opens the way for a company bowed in prayer to be united in purpose, love and thought. Prayer banishes discord and strife, breaks down barriers, and brings harmony with the mind of the Spirit so that all speak the same things. Confession, reconciliation and mutual care foster this unity day by day with shared purpose and love rather than strife, discord or rivalry. It is shown in worship marked by reverence and order, with testimony, thanksgiving and praise to God. In daily life it appears as bowels of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, tenderness, compassion, forbearance and forgiveness as Christ forgave, with charity as the bond of perfectness, the peace of God ruling in the heart in one body, and thankfulness, instead of malice, faultfinding, bitterness and evil speaking.
Unity in Church Life
God's servants are to counsel together and labor together in love, each doing what can be done and supporting one another rather than insisting on separate ways and carrying out personal ideas and plans without interruption. Every movement is to pass under strict self-examination and every principle of action to be compared with the principles of God's Word, with confidence, frankness and openness toward one another instead of secretiveness, selfishness and separate interests. This oneness rests on consolation in Christ, comfort of love, fellowship of the Spirit, and tender mercy, and is kept by doing nothing through strife or vainglory but in lowliness esteeming others better than self, looking also to the interests of others, and having the mind of Christ, for in unity there is strength.
That unity does not erase individuality or specific work, for workers remain under God's direction while carrying the work forward together. It requires honoring one another, recognizing each person's contribution rather than taking credit, treating fellow workers with respect, and rejecting strife, disrespect, pride, divisive criticism, and efforts to impose one's own ideas on others. Humility and care for one another, valuing others and caring about their concerns rather than acting from rivalry or vanity, keep the church united in one love, purpose, outlook and spirit.
Being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord and of one mind means putting confidence in the ministers of the conference where believers live and in the officers of the church where they worship. It means drawing near to brethren, loving them with a true heart fervently, encouraging them to bear responsibilities faithfully in the fear of God, and being an example in word, conduct, charity, spirit, faith and purity. Every church and every conference is to cherish reciprocal dependence, build one another up in the most holy faith, and seek the Holy Spirit so that light shines in clear, bright rays, and none are to separate from conference organization to show supposed efficiency, for that is opposed to God's order. The sacred chain of dependence binding people together is not slavery, and letting the enemy bring discord and separation robs families of happiness and the church of usefulness and hinders reformation, while evil thinking and evil speaking ruling in the heart and causing disunion and strife show it is not well with the soul.
In particular callings this oneness requires converted and changed character instead of criticism and resistance where attitudes are out of harmony, as in conflict over school management. Among physicians who share the faith it means working in harmony without rivalry, for pride, ambition, selfishness and desire for supremacy threaten the brotherly union that strengthens the work and helps it succeed. Among sanitarium workers it means maintaining full fellowship, avoiding anything that causes alienation or strife, and showing practical charity through kindness, compassion and forgiveness.
Truth is to be spoken in all its force yet not in a way that arouses the worst feelings of the human heart, but in love, tenderness and compassion, with feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. That lowliness that esteems others better than self and does nothing through strife or vainglory fulfills joy, and for the church it means aged standard-bearers of long and faithful service go from place to place and meeting to meeting sharing their long experience in that humble, united spirit. Younger and less experienced workers and the people as a whole are visibly to respect and honor those aged workers.
Unity with one another is grounded in unity with Christ and God, with eyes fixed on Jesus as learners in His school, sharing one love, purpose, mind and judgment rather than working independently. Self must be crucified so that Jesus rather than self is prominent and can work powerfully, and having the Spirit and mind of Christ in the heart brings humility, concern for others, love and harmony with one another. Its one shared aim is the salvation of souls and representing Christ's character in work and relationships, serving as a witness that God sent Christ to save sinners and preparing believers for everlasting fellowship with Christ, angels and the redeemed.
Workers must cease trusting in man and make God their efficiency, gaining confidence in fellow laborers. Each human agent must look to God and seek wisdom from Him in most earnest prayer to learn the way of the Lord, to see that transgression of the law cost the blood of the Son of the infinite God, to hate the sins that wounded Jesus, and to preserve a contrite heart while viewing Jesus as a compassionate, tender High Priest. Brethren are to press together to be of one mind and of one judgment, with God as leader and following in His footsteps, rather than relying on independent, self-sufficient judgment, self-sufficiency and self-esteem. Independent judgment lies at the foundation of trials and discords, so every door is to be closed to Satan's strife and alienation, and a clean heart and right spirit are received as gifts of Christ purchased at infinite cost.
Fruit and Witness of Unity
When believers are under the control of the Spirit of God, sharing the same mind and love in full agreement settles all difficulties easily and rights all wrongs easily. That oneness forbids false representation, cruel criticism, and hindering plans that retard the work and withhold needed help from the suffering Southern field at Nashville. It requires letting God be Helper so the work is adjusted to His glory, expressed in loving, generous regard for worn laborers who have taxed endurance almost to the sacrifice of life and have been sustained by the power of God.
This unity is the remedy for dissension and the pattern of effective missionary work. It calls for ceasing to strive with one another, letting nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness esteeming others better than self and doing all things without murmurings and disputings, so that believers may be blameless and harmless as sons of God shining as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation. That oneness gives strength to meet the increasing power of opposition to God as the end nears, instead of making effort of none effect.
Harmony and fellowship are necessary for the work of God and give the world powerful evidence for the Christian faith. Shared love and one-mindedness should be visible in conduct, with nothing done to create discord or strife, showing that the gospel has benefited those who profess it. This unity with one another, grounded in unity with Christ and God through humility, concern for others, and the mind of Christ, serves as a witness to the world that God sent Christ to save sinners. Among commandment-keeping believers peace and love are essential, and their absence can drive people away from the truth.
Those who so follow on to know the Lord receive His blessing and the gift of His righteousness and peace, for His going forth is prepared as the morning. They are bound together in unity of mind and in understanding of His guidance, so they can remain faithful in duty and see His salvation. With eyes fixed on Jesus and learning to live in love and harmony, having His Spirit in the heart and standing in right relation to God as learners in His school, they represent His character in work and association and are prepared for everlasting fellowship with Christ, angels, and the redeemed.
Neglect of this love and obedience brings greater guilt and condemnation, especially after receiving greater light and evidence of God's character and will, because as men treat Christ so they treat the Father. Division among those who believe the final message hinders their work and dishonors God. Unity therefore requires harmony among God's people, sanctified speech, powers joined together as a complete whole, and sharp, critical self-examination that puts worldly principles, strife, vainglory, oppression, and selfishness out of dealings with brethren and the work of God.
In this life of unity believers draw near to fellow church members and love them sincerely with true, fervent heart. They encourage one another to bear responsibilities faithfully in the fear of God and are an example of believers in word, in conduct, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Each person has an important part in seeking that unity, bringing heart, mind, and soul into unity with fellow believers rather than expecting others to do all the work of reconciliation.
The verse calls believers to make joy full by being united in love, purpose and mind, sharing one heart, spirit and judgment in harmony and agreement. That appeal rests on what they already possess in Christ, consolation in Him, comfort of love, fellowship of the Spirit, and tender mercy and compassion. Such oneness is lived by humility that values others above self, cares for their interests, and follows Christ's self-humbling example instead of acting from rivalry and vainglory. It requires conversion to Christ, yielding of personal ways and opinions, and putting away selfishness, strife, faultfinding and evil speaking through confession, prayer and daily self-denial. When this unity is seen in conduct and labor together, it gives strength to God's work and powerful evidence to the world that God sent Christ, while its neglect hinders the work and dishonors God.
The Call to Oneness
Fulfilment of joy comes through unity, as believers share the same mindset and love and live in united harmony and purpose. That completed joy is Paul's joy, and the apostle's joy and comfort are fulfilled when believers live in love, harmony and unity of purpose. It is also Christ's joy, brought by followers who share the same love and act in harmony, united in purpose and thought. Obeying this instruction belongs to being strong in the Lord, and its instruction tests whether obedience to the teaching of the Bible is present. Shared love and one-mindedness are to be visible in conduct, with nothing done to create discord or strife, as evidence that the gospel has benefited those who profess it.
To be like-minded, to have the same love, to be of one accord and of one mind means sharing one love, purpose, outlook, mind, heart, spirit and judgment, and living in harmony and agreement. It means sharing one purpose and the same love, living in harmony and unity of mind, loving one another with the same love, and being united in purpose and thought. Hearts changed through repentance and conversion, joined to Christ and shaped by His mind, show this oneness in worship marked by reverence and order, and in love, tenderness and compassion instead of malice, faultfinding, bitterness and evil speaking. This unity goes together with humility, putting others before self and caring for their needs and interests, rejecting strife and vainglory and humbly valuing others. The humble, self-giving mind that makes such unity possible is shown in the following example of Christ.
The appeal rests on what believers already have in Christ: consolation in Christ, comfort of love, fellowship of the Spirit, and tender mercy and compassion. The comfort, love, fellowship and mercy found in Christ are to produce unity, so that believers share the same love and purpose. That oneness is formed through fellowship with the Spirit and by putting on Christ, the Holy Spirit working goodness and grace in those who give themselves fully to God, teaching self-denial and obedience, with God's grace enabling this unity and good work in the home and church. The call came to a company bowed in prayer after confession of withheld sins as the way to restored fellowship. Strict unity was seen as necessary and labored for earnestly.
The instruction is God's will and a high standard set in plain words, so clear that there is no excuse for walking contrary to it. It tests obedience to the Bible, must not be passed over indifferently or walked contrary to, but must be walked in, guarded strictly individually and collectively, thankfully obeyed and fulfilled, especially by leading brethren. It means universal humility and benevolence, self-denial and self-sacrifice in good works in every converted man and every converted woman, with the humble-minded precious in the sight of God, revealed by every believer in words sanctified by the Spirit of God and in accordance with the principles of the gospel. Its lessons must not be disregarded but read and studied together with the whole of Philippians 2 and also with Philippians 3, since the instruction is especially important and should be studied with the rest of the chapter.
Its meaning is unfolded by the surrounding verses: do nothing through strife or vainglory, in lowliness of mind esteem others better than self, look not only to one's own interests but also to the interests of others, and have the mind that was in Christ Jesus. Those who follow it do not contend for the highest place nor act from rivalry, vanity, self-seeking, or desire to make other minds travel in the same lines with one's own opinions and ideas. That unity is a remedy for dissension and a pattern of effective missionary work, and an injunction for the church in its work of sanctification through the truth that each person must individually strive to obey. God's servants keep it by counseling together and working in unity instead of each insisting on carrying out his own ideas and plans without interruption, with every movement passing under strict self-examination and every principle of action compared with the principles of God's Word, for in unity there is strength. Christ, being in the form of God, made Himself of no reputation, took the form of a servant in the likeness of men, humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, wherefore God highly exalted Him and gave Him a name above every name that every knee should bow to Jesus in heaven and earth and under the earth, and in that humility reveals the Father. The call belongs with standing fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, in nothing terrified by adversaries, with both believing on Christ and suffering for His sake, and with the provision made in inspired Scripture for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness to make complete and furnish unto every good work, enlightening how to obtain the crown of life and enter into the joy of the Lord.
Humility That Creates Unity
Unity is lived out by humility that puts others ahead of self and cares for their needs, concerns and interests as well as one's own. It follows the self-humbling, self-giving pattern of Christ rather than acting from rivalry, strife, vainglory, selfish ambition or self-seeking. It refuses to contend for the highest place and instead esteems others as better than self in lowliness of mind. Such oneness requires repentance and conversion, with hearts joined to Christ and shaped by His mind. It means putting on Christ, crucifying self so that Jesus rather than self is prominent, and giving self fully to God. The Holy Spirit then works goodness, grace, self-denial and obedience within, and the religion of Christ works as leaven in home and church.
It requires yielding differences of opinion in order to be joined together in one faith, one body, one mind and one judgment. Workers are not to insist on their own ways, plans and ideas, nor to separate from fellow believers or demand that others accept their plans, but to follow their Leader willingly and walk humbly with God. No one is to seek to make other minds travel in his own lines, look for opportunities to differ, cherish differences, compete for leadership in little matters, or bring in what is new and odd and unapproved. Standing in right relation to God as learners in His school brings one mind, heart and spirit and a representation of Christ's character in work and relationships. In a conflict over school management this calls for attitudes out of harmony to be converted and changed rather than expressed in criticism and resistance.
It means sharp, critical self-examination that puts worldly principles, strife, vainglory, oppression and selfishness out of dealings with brethren and the work of God. Murmurings, disputings, malice, faultfinding, bitterness, evil thinking and evil speaking must be put away, for their rule in the heart proves it is not well with the soul and brings disunion and strife. Sanctified speech with disciplined tongue and voice joins God's people into a harmonious whole, while division among those who believe the final message hinders the work and dishonors God. Neglect of this love and obedience, especially after greater light and evidence of God's character and will, brings greater guilt and condemnation. It is cultivated day by day by removing barriers between believers, confessing wrongs and withheld sins, and turning from bitterness and harmful conduct.
Confession of withheld sins restores fellowship and opens the way for a company bowed in prayer to be united in purpose, love and thought. Prayer banishes discord and strife, breaks down barriers, and brings harmony with the mind of the Spirit so that all speak the same things. Confession, reconciliation and mutual care foster this unity day by day with shared purpose and love rather than strife, discord or rivalry. It is shown in worship marked by reverence and order, with testimony, thanksgiving and praise to God. In daily life it appears as bowels of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, tenderness, compassion, forbearance and forgiveness as Christ forgave, with charity as the bond of perfectness, the peace of God ruling in the heart in one body, and thankfulness, instead of malice, faultfinding, bitterness and evil speaking.
Unity in Church Life
God's servants are to counsel together and labor together in love, each doing what can be done and supporting one another rather than insisting on separate ways and carrying out personal ideas and plans without interruption. Every movement is to pass under strict self-examination and every principle of action to be compared with the principles of God's Word, with confidence, frankness and openness toward one another instead of secretiveness, selfishness and separate interests. This oneness rests on consolation in Christ, comfort of love, fellowship of the Spirit, and tender mercy, and is kept by doing nothing through strife or vainglory but in lowliness esteeming others better than self, looking also to the interests of others, and having the mind of Christ, for in unity there is strength.
That unity does not erase individuality or specific work, for workers remain under God's direction while carrying the work forward together. It requires honoring one another, recognizing each person's contribution rather than taking credit, treating fellow workers with respect, and rejecting strife, disrespect, pride, divisive criticism, and efforts to impose one's own ideas on others. Humility and care for one another, valuing others and caring about their concerns rather than acting from rivalry or vanity, keep the church united in one love, purpose, outlook and spirit.
Being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord and of one mind means putting confidence in the ministers of the conference where believers live and in the officers of the church where they worship. It means drawing near to brethren, loving them with a true heart fervently, encouraging them to bear responsibilities faithfully in the fear of God, and being an example in word, conduct, charity, spirit, faith and purity. Every church and every conference is to cherish reciprocal dependence, build one another up in the most holy faith, and seek the Holy Spirit so that light shines in clear, bright rays, and none are to separate from conference organization to show supposed efficiency, for that is opposed to God's order. The sacred chain of dependence binding people together is not slavery, and letting the enemy bring discord and separation robs families of happiness and the church of usefulness and hinders reformation, while evil thinking and evil speaking ruling in the heart and causing disunion and strife show it is not well with the soul.
In particular callings this oneness requires converted and changed character instead of criticism and resistance where attitudes are out of harmony, as in conflict over school management. Among physicians who share the faith it means working in harmony without rivalry, for pride, ambition, selfishness and desire for supremacy threaten the brotherly union that strengthens the work and helps it succeed. Among sanitarium workers it means maintaining full fellowship, avoiding anything that causes alienation or strife, and showing practical charity through kindness, compassion and forgiveness.
Truth is to be spoken in all its force yet not in a way that arouses the worst feelings of the human heart, but in love, tenderness and compassion, with feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. That lowliness that esteems others better than self and does nothing through strife or vainglory fulfills joy, and for the church it means aged standard-bearers of long and faithful service go from place to place and meeting to meeting sharing their long experience in that humble, united spirit. Younger and less experienced workers and the people as a whole are visibly to respect and honor those aged workers.
Unity with one another is grounded in unity with Christ and God, with eyes fixed on Jesus as learners in His school, sharing one love, purpose, mind and judgment rather than working independently. Self must be crucified so that Jesus rather than self is prominent and can work powerfully, and having the Spirit and mind of Christ in the heart brings humility, concern for others, love and harmony with one another. Its one shared aim is the salvation of souls and representing Christ's character in work and relationships, serving as a witness that God sent Christ to save sinners and preparing believers for everlasting fellowship with Christ, angels and the redeemed.
Workers must cease trusting in man and make God their efficiency, gaining confidence in fellow laborers. Each human agent must look to God and seek wisdom from Him in most earnest prayer to learn the way of the Lord, to see that transgression of the law cost the blood of the Son of the infinite God, to hate the sins that wounded Jesus, and to preserve a contrite heart while viewing Jesus as a compassionate, tender High Priest. Brethren are to press together to be of one mind and of one judgment, with God as leader and following in His footsteps, rather than relying on independent, self-sufficient judgment, self-sufficiency and self-esteem. Independent judgment lies at the foundation of trials and discords, so every door is to be closed to Satan's strife and alienation, and a clean heart and right spirit are received as gifts of Christ purchased at infinite cost.
Fruit and Witness of Unity
When believers are under the control of the Spirit of God, sharing the same mind and love in full agreement settles all difficulties easily and rights all wrongs easily. That oneness forbids false representation, cruel criticism, and hindering plans that retard the work and withhold needed help from the suffering Southern field at Nashville. It requires letting God be Helper so the work is adjusted to His glory, expressed in loving, generous regard for worn laborers who have taxed endurance almost to the sacrifice of life and have been sustained by the power of God.
This unity is the remedy for dissension and the pattern of effective missionary work. It calls for ceasing to strive with one another, letting nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness esteeming others better than self and doing all things without murmurings and disputings, so that believers may be blameless and harmless as sons of God shining as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation. That oneness gives strength to meet the increasing power of opposition to God as the end nears, instead of making effort of none effect.
Harmony and fellowship are necessary for the work of God and give the world powerful evidence for the Christian faith. Shared love and one-mindedness should be visible in conduct, with nothing done to create discord or strife, showing that the gospel has benefited those who profess it. This unity with one another, grounded in unity with Christ and God through humility, concern for others, and the mind of Christ, serves as a witness to the world that God sent Christ to save sinners. Among commandment-keeping believers peace and love are essential, and their absence can drive people away from the truth.
Those who so follow on to know the Lord receive His blessing and the gift of His righteousness and peace, for His going forth is prepared as the morning. They are bound together in unity of mind and in understanding of His guidance, so they can remain faithful in duty and see His salvation. With eyes fixed on Jesus and learning to live in love and harmony, having His Spirit in the heart and standing in right relation to God as learners in His school, they represent His character in work and association and are prepared for everlasting fellowship with Christ, angels, and the redeemed.
Neglect of this love and obedience brings greater guilt and condemnation, especially after receiving greater light and evidence of God's character and will, because as men treat Christ so they treat the Father. Division among those who believe the final message hinders their work and dishonors God. Unity therefore requires harmony among God's people, sanctified speech, powers joined together as a complete whole, and sharp, critical self-examination that puts worldly principles, strife, vainglory, oppression, and selfishness out of dealings with brethren and the work of God.
In this life of unity believers draw near to fellow church members and love them sincerely with true, fervent heart. They encourage one another to bear responsibilities faithfully in the fear of God and are an example of believers in word, in conduct, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Each person has an important part in seeking that unity, bringing heart, mind, and soul into unity with fellow believers rather than expecting others to do all the work of reconciliation.