Christian Unity
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repeated in the family circle or remarks to be made disparaging the
members of the church.
Christians should regard it as a religious duty to repress a spirit of
envy or emulation. They should rejoice in the superior reputation or
prosperity of their brethren, even when their own character or achieve-
ments seem to be cast in the shade. It was the pride and ambition
cherished in the heart of Satan that banished him from heaven. These
evils are deeply rooted in our fallen nature, and if not removed they
will overshadow every good and noble quality and bring forth envy
and strife as their baleful fruits.
We should seek for true goodness rather than greatness. Those
who possess the mind of Christ will have humble views of themselves.
They will labor for the purity and prosperity of the church, and be
ready to sacrifice their own interests and desires rather than to cause
dissension among their brethren.
Satan is constantly seeking to cause distrust, alienation, and malice
among God’s people. We shall be often tempted to feel that our rights
are invaded, when there is no real cause for such feelings. Those
whose love for self is stronger than their love for Christ and His cause
will place their own interests first and resort to almost any expedient
to guard and maintain them. When they consider themselves injured
by their brethren, some will even go to law instead of following the
Saviour’s rule. Even many who appear to be conscientious Christians
are hindered by pride and self-esteem from going privately to those
they think in error, that they may talk the matter over in the spirit
of Christ and pray for one another. Contentions, strife, and lawsuits
between brethren are a disgrace to the cause of truth. Those who take
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such a course expose the church to the ridicule of her enemies and
cause the powers of darkness to triumph. They are piercing the wounds
of Christ afresh and putting Him to an open shame. By ignoring the
authority of the church they show contempt for God, who gave to the
church its authority.
Paul writes to the Galatians: “I would they were even cut off which
trouble you. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use
not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love
thy neighbor as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take