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The Unity Christ is Looking for, September 14
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists;
and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the
work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come
in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a
perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
Ephesians 4:11-13
.
By our unity we are to bear strong, indisputable evidence that Christ came to
this world to save sinners. Satan works with all his ingenuity to prevent human
beings from bearing this evidence. He wants them to develop an unsanctified indi-
viduality so that they shall not love one another. Too often professing Christians
yield to him, and then the merest trifle causes a difference to spring up among
them. Men and women professing godliness build walls of separation between
them and their fellow workers, because not all think in exactly the same way, or
follow exactly the same methods. Those who stand apart, refusing to harmonize,
dishonor God before the world. Christ prayed for unity. It is His will that His
followers shall labor together in Christian fellowship....
Let us respond to Christ’s invitation, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and
are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of
me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For
my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (
Matthew 11:28-30
). To respond to this
invitation, we must let go all self-importance, all feeling of superiority, and bow
in submission to the will of God.
“And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one,
even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in
one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as
thou hast loved me” (
John 17:22, 23
).
What a wonderful change would be seen in our world if all would obey Christ’s
words. He has united His interests with those of humanity, that men and women
may receive from Him power to do His will. Those who through His grace become
partakers of the divine nature receive the rich blessings that in the councils of
heaven it was declared should be bestowed on those who believe in Christ as a
personal Saviour....
In order for us to bear the fruit that glorifies God, our hearts must be filled
with the love of Christ. We must learn of Him, His meekness and lowliness.
Then we shall not strive for self-exaltation.... When men see more clearly the
completeness of Christ’s sacrifice and condescension, they will better understand
what is comprehended by oneness with Him.—
Letter 205, September 14, 1903
,
to “My Dear Brethren and Sisters in Australia.”
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