As long as we are in this world we must be linked with one another. Humanity is interlaced and interwoven with humanity. As Christians we are members one of another. The Lord has made us thus, and when disappointments come, we are not to think the worse of one another. We are individual members of the general body. In helplessness and disappointment we are fighting the battles of life, and the Lord designs us, as His sons and daughters, whom He calls His friends, to help one another. This is to be a part of our practical Christian work.” The Signs of the Times, February 7, 1900.
How is this unity (oneness) to be brought about?
“The prayer of Christ to His Father, contained in the seventeenth chapter of John, is to be our church creed. It shows us that our difference and disunion are dishonoring to God. . . .” Lift Him Up, 296.
Unity in Diversity
“[John 17:20, 21 quoted.] 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 (MS 52, 1904). . . .
“[John 17:20-23 quoted.] What a wonderful statement! The unity that exists between Christ and His disciples does not destroy the personality of either. In mind, in purpose, in character, they are one, but not in person. By partaking of the Spirit of God, conforming to the law of God, man becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ brings His disciples into a living union with Himself and with the Father. Through the working of the Holy Spirit upon the human mind, man is made complete in Christ Jesus. Unity with Christ establishes a bond of unity with one another. This unity is the most convincing proof to the world of the majesty and virtue of Christ, and of His power to take away sin (MS 111, 1903).” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, 1148.
What is it that establishes a bond of unity with one another? Unity with Christ. How do we have this unity with Christ? “By partaking of the Spirit of God, conforming to the law of God, man becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ brings His disciples into a living union with Himself and with the Father. Through the working of the Holy Spirit upon the human mind, man is made complete in Christ Jesus.” Ibid.
Love and Unity Connection
The following quotes show how love and unity are connected. Love is a key ingredient to having unity in the church.
“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. . . . The heart of the Saviour is set upon His followers’ fulfilling God’s purpose in all its height and depth. They are to be one in Him, even though they are scattered the world over. . . . When Christ’s prayer is fully believed, . . . 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.” God’s Amazing Grace, 210.
“God is the embodiment of benevolence, mercy, and love. Those who are truly connected with Him cannot be at variance with one another. His Spirit ruling in the heart will create harmony, love, and unity. The opposite of this is seen among the children of Satan. It is his work to stir up envy, strife, and jealousy. In the name of my Master I ask the professed followers of Christ: What fruit do you bear?” Testimonies, vol. 5, 28.
“Selfishness and pride hinder the pure love that unites us in spirit with Jesus Christ. If this love is truly cultivated, finite will blend with finite, and all will center in the Infinite. Humanity will unite with humanity, and all will be bound up with the heart of Infinite Love. Sanctified love for one another is sacred. In this great work Christian love for one another—far higher, more constant, more courteous, more unselfish, than has been seen—preserves Christian tenderness, Christian benevolence, and politeness, and enfolds the human brotherhood in the embrace of God, acknowledging the dignity with which God has invested the rights of man. This dignity Christians must ever cultivate for the honor and glory of God.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, 1140, 1141.
Christlike Forbearance
“Nothing can perfect a perfect unity in the church but the spirit of Christlike forbearance. Satan can sow discord; Christ alone can harmonize the disagreeing elements. . . . When you as individual workers of the church love God supremely and your neighbor as yourself, then there will be no labored efforts to be in unity, there will be oneness in Christ, the ears to report will be closed, and no one will take up a reproach against his neighbor. The members of the church will cherish love and unity and be as one great family. Then we shall bear the credentials to the world that will testify that God has sent His Son into the world. Christ has said, ‘By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.’ [John 13:35.]” Reflecting Christ, 200.
“True sanctification unites believers to Christ and to one another in the bonds of tender sympathy. This union causes to flow continually into the heart rich currents of Christlike love, which flows forth again in love for one another.
“The qualities which it is essential for all to possess are those which marked the completeness of Christ’s character—His love, His patience, His unselfishness, and His goodness. These attributes are gained by doing kindly actions with a kindly heart.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, 1141.
Perfect Oneness
“Our great need is unity, perfect oneness in God’s work.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 300.
“ ‘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 hast sent me.’ John 17:21.
“Let these words be oft repeated and let every soul train his ideas and spirit and action daily that he may fulfill this prayer of Jesus Christ. He does not request impossible things of His Father. He prays for the very things which must be in His disciples in relation to their oneness to each other and their unity and oneness with God and Jesus Christ. Anything short of this is not attaining to perfection of Christian character. The golden chain of love, binding the hearts of the believers in unity, in bonds of fellowship and love, and in oneness with Christ and the Father, makes the connection perfect, and bears to the world a testimony of the power of Christianity that cannot be controverted.” That I May Know Him, 173.
Cease Criticism
“I am determined to keep before the people the fact that we must have unity. We must cease all criticism. We must urge that the great peculiarity distinguishing Christians from all others, is the union that exists between them and the Lord Jesus Christ, by constant exercise of the faith that works by love and purifies the soul. This union, oneness with Christ, leads to unity with and love toward one another. Christians delight to honor God by obeying all His commandments. Bound together in love with Christ, they have love toward one another.” The Voice in Speech and Song, 347.
The “How” of Unity
So how do we gain this unity? “Strive earnestly for unity. Pray for it, work for it. It will bring spiritual health, elevation of thought, nobility of character, heavenly-mindedness, enabling you to overcome selfishness and evil surmisings, and to be more than conquerors through Him that loved you and gave Himself for you. Crucify self; esteem others better than yourselves. Thus you will be brought into oneness with Christ. Before the heavenly universe, and before the church and the world, you will bear unmistakable evidence that you are God’s sons and daughters. God will be glorified in the example that you set.” Testimonies, vol. 9, 188.
“Look at the cross of Calvary. It is a standing pledge of the boundless love, the measureless mercy, of the heavenly Father. O that all might repent and do their first works. When the churches do this, they will love God supremely and their neighbors as themselves. Ephraim will not envy Judah, and Judah will not vex Ephraim. Divisions will then be healed, the harsh sounds of strife will no more be heard in the borders of Israel. Through the grace freely given them of God, all will seek to answer the prayer of Christ, that His disciples should be one, even as He and the Father are one. Peace, love, mercy, and benevolence will be the abiding principles of the soul. The love of Christ will be the theme of every tongue, and it will no more be said by the True Witness, ‘I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love’ (Revelation 2:4). The people of God will be abiding in Christ, the love of Jesus will be revealed, and one Spirit will animate all hearts, regenerating and renewing all in the image of Christ, fashioning all hearts alike. As living branches of the True Vine, all will be united to Christ, the living head. Christ will abide in every heart, guiding, coz`mforting, sanctifying, and presenting to the world the unity of the followers of Jesus, thus bearing testimony that the heavenly credentials are supplied to the remnant church. In the oneness of Christ’s church it will be proved that God sent His only-begotten Son into the world.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 385.
Experiencing the Cross
How are we to gain this oneness with Christ? By crucifying self, which involves a cross. I call it experiencing the cross. Look at how we can experience the cross.
Let us first look at the example of the experience of the disciples and the cross. Before Jesus was crucified, the disciples were frequently engaged in disputing about who would be the greatest. For example, in Mark 9:33, 34, we read, “Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, ‘What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?’ But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who [would be the] greatest.” The disciples definitely had some strife as to who would be the greatest.
In the Book of Proverbs, the Bible tells us some things that cause strife. “A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends.” Proverbs 16:28. “Where [there is] no wood, the fire goes out; And where [there is] no talebearer, strife ceases.” Proverbs 26:20. “He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.” Proverbs 28:25.
But then we see that in the Book of Acts, chapter 2, verse 1, it says: “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” Something had happened with the disciples! They had become unified and were no longer having strife as to who would be the greatest. What happened to the disciples that changed them so? I believe it was experiencing the cross.
A Thoughtful Hour
When we start looking at the cross, we see nothing but the greatest love and selflessness manifested. There was nothing selfish about the cross. It is not something a selfish person would do—give your life for a bunch of rebels. We see there the greatest love manifested—a love that completely melts selfishness. To think that Someone would give His life so we could have life for eternity is just mind boggling. To think that anyone would love us that much! It is amazing! He not only gave His life, but He suffered agony, rejection, separation from His Father, and pain—for you and for me. How can we not be drawn to One with a love like that? This is part of the reason we are counseled to spend a thoughtful hour every day studying the life of Christ, and especially the closing scenes.
“It would be well to spend a thoughtful hour each day reviewing the life of Christ from the manger to Calvary. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination vividly grasp each scene, especially the closing ones of his earthly life. By thus contemplating his teachings and sufferings, and the infinite sacrifice made by him for the redemption of the race, we may strengthen our faith, quicken our love, and become more deeply imbued with the spirit which sustained our Saviour. If we would be saved at last, we must learn the lesson of penitence and faith at the foot of the cross. . . . Everything noble and generous in man will respond to the contemplation of Christ upon the cross.” Gospel Workers (1892), 246.
Crowning Act
“ ‘As I have loved you.’ [John 13:34.] The crowning act in the sacrifice of love was yet to come. Soon, in the scenes of the Saviour’s betrayal, trial, and crucifixion the disciples were to see the measure of his love. They were to see him hanging on the cross in dying agony, bearing the sins of the world. In this, and in his resurrection and ascension, they were to see a love so broad and deep that all doubt as to the meaning of the new commandment would be swept away. The knowledge of the Saviour’s matchless love for them was to bind them heart to heart, preparing the way for the Lord to anoint them with his Spirit. United by this love, they were to go forth to witness with convincing power to the divinity of their Leader. And their Christlike love for one another was to be the sign of their discipleship.
“How much of this love have we shown for one another? Might we not better begin without delay to love one another as Christ has loved us? Would we not then be a power for good in the world? ‘By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.’ [John 13:35.]” Review and Herald, July 21, 1903.
“The disciples never realized Christ’s love for fallen man until they saw it expressed on the cross of Calvary, until He rose from the dead and proclaimed over the rent sepulcher of Joseph, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.’ [John 11:25.] Lessons have been given in regard to this love which are just as new to us, as far as practice is concerned, as they were to the disciples before the death and resurrection of our Lord. When these lessons are brought into the practical life, when God’s people love one another as He requires them to do, there will be an entire change in the experience of the churches.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 15, 109, 110.
“When the attention is fastened on the cross of Christ, the whole being is ennobled. The knowledge of the Saviour’s love subdues the soul, and lifts the mind above the things of time and sense. Let us learn to estimate all temporal things in the light that shines from the cross. Let us strive to fathom the depths of humiliation to which our Saviour descended in order to make man the possessor of eternal riches. As we study the plan of redemption, the heart will feel the throb of the Saviour’s love, and will be ravished by the charms of His character.
“It is the love of Christ that makes our heaven. But when we seek to tell of this love, language fails us. We think of His life on earth, of His sacrifice for us; we think of His work in heaven as our advocate, of the mansions He is preparing for those who love Him; and we can but exclaim, ‘O the heights and depths of the love of Christ!’ As we linger beneath the cross, we gain a faint conception of the love of God, and we say, ‘Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.’ [1 John 4:10.] But in our contemplation of Christ, we are only lingering round the edge of a love that is measureless. His love is like a vast ocean, without bottom or shore.” Lift Him Up, 248.
“In all true disciples 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 Jesus. It is on the earth that his children are to let this love shine out through blameless lives. Thus sinners will be led to the cross, to behold the Lamb of God.” Review and Herald, May 6, 1902.
By Beholding
Have you experienced the cross and seen Christ’s love for you? As we look at His life, at His love, it is going to change us. By beholding, we are changed; we are going to become like Him. (11 Corinthians 3:18.) This is part of the way we can gain the experience that is talked about in 1 Corinthians 12 and 13 of having love for one another and working in unity as a body. When we truly have this love, we will place others before ourselves, which involves crucifying self and letting Christ be enthroned within.
“By beholding Christ, you will become changed, until you will hate your former pride, your former vanity and self-esteem, your self-righteousness and unbelief. You will cast these sins aside as a worthless burden, and walk humbly, meekly, trustfully, before God. You will practice love, patience, gentleness, goodness, mercy, and every grace that dwells in the child of God, and will at last find a place among the sanctified and holy.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 388.
“He [Christ] became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Shall we feel it a hardship to deny ourselves? Shall we draw back from being partakers of his sufferings? His death ought to stir every fiber of the being, making us willing to consecrate to his work all that we have and are. As we think of what he has done for us, our hearts should be filled with love.” Review and Herald, December 1, 1910.
“To love as Christ loved means to manifest unselfishness at all times and in all places, by kind words and pleasant looks. These cost those who give them nothing, but they leave behind a fragrance that surrounds the soul. Their effect can never be estimated. Not only are they a blessing to the receiver, but to the giver; for they react upon him. Genuine love is a precious attribute of heavenly origin, which increases in fragrance in proportion as it is dispensed to others.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, 1140.
Foretaste of Heaven
1 Corinthians 12 and 13 tie together quite well. Chapter 12 tells us about the unity of the body, how each part has its job and works with the great whole. In chapter 13, we learn what love really is. If we truly have this love, it will enable us to have the unity, spoken of in chapter 12, with our fellow brothers and sisters. To learn what a person with this love is like, we must look at the life of Christ, especially at the cross, because it is the greatest display of love. Let us each keep pushing on to know Christ and not neglect the time with Him every day, so we can gain the experience of the cross, and possess this love and unity.
“Please read the twelfth and thirteenth chapters of 1 Corinthians. ‘And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.’ [1 Corinthians 13:13.] Let us wash our robe of character. Let us no longer bite and devour one another. Let those who claim to be Christians practise [sic] Christ’s words. ‘Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men. . . . Let all your things be done with charity.’ [1 Corinthians 16:13, 14.]” Review and Herald, October 17, 1899.
It would be a foretaste of heaven to belong to a church that had these characteristics. If it is going to happen, it has to start somewhere. I want to start. How about you?
Jana Grosboll, an Electrical Engineering graduate student, serves Steps to Life as its Network Administrator. She may be contacted by e-mail at: janagrosboll@stepstolife.org.