Unity in the church is needed among those who profess to be waiting for the second Advent of Christ. On the other hand, Satan is striving with all his power to see that the church of God will not move in one accord. He wants us to be in disunion, thinking that then defeating us may be very easy. Christ, when on this earth, prayed for the disciples, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; That they all may be one; as Thou, Father art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou has sent Me.“ John 17:20–21
UNITY IN DIVERSITY
“What kind of unity is spoken of in these words?—Unity in diversity. Our minds do not all run in the same channel, and we have not all been given the same work. God has given to every man his work according to his several ability. There are different kinds of work to be done, and workers of varied capabilities are needed. If our hearts are humble, if we have learned in the school of Christ to be meek and lowly, we may all press together in the narrow path marked out for us.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1148
Christ said,” A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” John 13:34
“Jesus designed that the faith of His people should be one. If one goes forth preaching one thing, and another differing with him preaches something else, how can those who believe through their word be one? There will be difference of sentiments.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 327
John the beloved disciple admonished, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” 1 John 4:7–8, 12
“There is among us a very limited amount of real, unselfish love. The Lord says: ‘Everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.’ ‘If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p.137
Ellen white continued, “In every true disciple this love, like sacred fire, burns on the altar of the heart. It was on the earth that the love of God was revealed through Christ. It is on the earth that His children are to reflect this love through blameless lives. Thus sinners will be led to the cross to behold the Lamb of God.” –The Acts of the Apostles, p. 334
LET US STRIVE FOR UNITY
Brethren, what is our position in the world? Are we revealing unselfish love as did God who gave His only begotten Son at the cross of Calvary? Let us think of the depth of God’s love, and see if we are revealing it to others.
Christ says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it ,that it may bring forth more fruits” John 15:1–2
The Apostle Paul said, “For the body is not one member, but many.” 1 Corinthians 12:14
“The vine has many branches, but though all the branches are different, they don’t quarrel. In diversity there is unity. All the branches obtain their nourishment from one source. This is an illustration of the unity that is to exist among Christ’s followers. In their different lines of work they have one head. The same spirit in different ways works through them. There is harmonious action though the gifts differ.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1090
If we were all united like they were in the time of the apostles, God would have wrought wonders in us. “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” Acts 4:32–33
“If the professed followers of Christ would accept God’s standard, it would bring them into unity; but so long as human wisdom is exalted above His Holy Word, there will be divisions and dissension.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 124
“Unity existing among the followers of Christ is an evidence that the Father has sent His Son to save sinners. It is a witness to His power; for nothing short of the miraculous power of God can bring human beings with their different temperaments together in harmonious action, their one aim being to speak the truth in love.” –Testimonies for the Church. Vol. 9, p. 194
“Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth.” John 17:17
“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.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 243
NO NATION IS PERFECT
“That they all maybe one.” John 17:21. “The Jewish temple was built of hewn stones quarried out of the mountains; and every stone was fitted for its place in the temple, hewed, polished, and tested before it was brought to Jerusalem. And when all were brought to the ground, the building went together without the sound of ax or hammer. This building represents God’s spiritual temple, which is composed of material gathered out of every nation, and tongue, and people, of all grades, high and low, rich and poor, learned and unlearned. . . . When completed, this temple will be perfect in all its parts, the admiration of angels and of men; for its Builder and Maker is God.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 180
May the Lord help us to humble ourselves before Him, as clay in the hand of the Potter, that we may show unselfish love to all, in Christ Jesus’ name. Amen.
Jenifer Akello,
Uganda