20
Testimonies to Southern Africa
head. It is not our Lord’s plan that any member of His body shall
suffer for want of proper exercise; for if one member suffer, all the
members suffer with it; if one is enlightened and honoured of God, all
rejoice. Every member derives its life and working power from the
same source, “even Christ, from whom the whole body fitly joined
together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according
to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase
of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” “And the eye cannot
say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the
feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the
body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary.” “For we are
labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s
building.” Each worker is to use his God-given ability to the utmost
for the upbuilding of Christ’s kingdom on the earth. We each have an
individuality in manner and bearing, and this is as it should be; but
this need not prevent our working together in perfect harmony.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the living vine, and all who are children
of God are grafted into the parent stock, drawing sap and nourishment
from the one root. The branches are not blended into one, but are
diverse, separate branches, yet they all live from the same root. In the
words of Christ we find an important lesson which should have a more
direct bearing upon the life, the motives, and the experience of those
who claim to be children of God. “Abide in me, and I in you. As the
branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more
can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He
that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit:
for without me ye can do nothing.” How essential it is that every one
who claims to be a child of God should work in harmony with Christ,
catching the divine illumination of His spirit, studying the manner
of His labour, and working as He worked, putting self out of sight
[23]
and ever making Christ prominent. We should bring our own ways
into harmony with Christ’s ways, manifesting the spirit of the Master
worker, that Jesus may appear in our work and in our character.
There should be no strife, no envyings, no seeking for supremacy.
The work is sacred and holy, and God forbid that you should give to
those for whom you labour an example of coldness, selfishness, and
avarice. If your work has been done in human wisdom, it will bear your
mould, it is marred in your hands. Your work is of an exalted character,