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Counsels for the Church
Harmony and Union Is Our Strongest Witness
It is not the opposition of the world that endangers us the most;
it is the evil cherished in the hearts of professed believers that works
our most grievous disaster and most retards the progress of God’s
cause. There is no surer way of weakening our spirituality than by
being envious, suspicious of one an other, full of faultfinding and evil
surmising. “This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly,
sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion
and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure,
then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and
good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit
of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”
James
3:15-18
.
Harmony and union existing among men of varied dispositions is
the strongest witness that can be borne that God has sent His Son into
the world to save sinners. It is our privilege to bear this witness. But,
in order to do this, we must place ourselves under Christ’s command.
[45]
Our characters must be molded in harmony with His character, our
wills must be surrendered to His will. Then we shall work together
without a thought of collision.
Little differences dwelt upon lead to actions that destroy Christian
fellowship. Let us not allow the enemy thus to gain the advantage over
us. Let us keep drawing nearer to God and to one another. Then we
shall be as trees of righteousness, planted by the Lord, and watered
by the river of life. And how fruitful we shall be! Did not Christ say:
“Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit”?
John 15:8
.
When Christ’s prayer is fully believed, when its instruction is
brought into the daily life of God’s people, unity of action will be seen
in our ranks. Brother will be bound to brother by the golden bonds
of the love of Christ. The Spirit of God alone can bring about this
oneness. He who sanctified Himself can sanctify His disciples. United
with Him, they will be united with one another in the most holy faith.
When we strive for this unity as God desires us to strive for it, it will
come to us
It is not a great number of institutions, large buildings, and outward
display that God requires, but the harmonious action of a peculiar
6
Testimonies for the Church 8:242, 243