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Unity, December 26
I therefore...beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith
ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering,
forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the
Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:1-3
.
Read the prayer that Christ offered for His people just before His trial and
crucifixion. Christ in His human nature suffered disappointment and trials.
When I read in the Bible of how many refused to believe that Christ was
the Son of God, sadness fills my heart. We read that even His own brethren
refused to believe in Him.
We must present an unbroken front in union and in faith. We must be
strong in the Lord and in the power of His grace.... It is through disunion that
the enemy comes in and sows his seed. We need the truth on every point. We
need less of our own words and more of the Word of God. We are near the
close of time, and we cannot afford to make a mistake. Truth will bear away
the victory. We must “love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous” (
1 Peter 3:8
).
We must practice Christian politeness. A soft answer to cruel thrusts turns
away wrath....
Christ is wounded by the differences that are so easily created and brought
to the front. Turn to the seventeenth chapter of John, and read the prayer
of Christ, His entreaty that His disciples may be one as He is one with the
Father. We greatly dishonor God when we regard it as a light matter to make
our differences apparent. This is sure to weaken our own souls and the souls
of others....
When we bring in our own ideas and opinions, we mislead others. Attach
importance to a plain “Thus saith the Lord,” and then you will be laborers
together with Christ.
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love,
as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a
sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour” (
Ephesians 5:1, 2
). What grand
and comprehensive truths are shining from the Word of God, molding hearts
and minds after Christ’s order. In the night season I heard these words spoken
to companies, by the divine Teacher: “Blend your plans. Let there be no
variance among you.” ...
I would say to you, my brother, Look up. Talk faith and hope. Do not
look at the dark side. Let praise and songs of hope be in your heart and on
your lips.—
Letter 398, December 26, 1906
, to Dr. and Mrs. D. H. Kress.
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