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Maintaining Unity

Question

How does God feel about members pulling apart into separate parties?

Bible Answer

John 17:21 "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. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me."

Inspired Answer

"Christ brings all true believers into complete oneness with himself, even the oneness which exists between himself and his Father. The true children of God are bound up with one another and with their Saviour. They are one with Christ in God. {KC 110.6} And the glory which thou gavest me, I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me, for thou lovest me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee, but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it; that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.” {KC 111.1} These are indeed wonderful words. They need to be thought of, studied, and brought into the practical life. They are to be lived out in the daily experiences. Only thus can the result for which Christ prayed be produced. {KC 111.2} The Spirit of Christ never leads those of the same faith to separate into distinct, independent parties. When such a separation takes place, an impression exactly opposite from that for which Christ prayed is given to the world. {KC 111.3} Why do those who profess to believe in Christ, who profess to keep the commandments, make such feeble efforts to answer the Saviour’s prayer: Why do they seek to have their own way, instead of choosing the way and will of the Spirit of God? Those who do this will one day see the harm they have done to the cause of God by pulling apart. Instead of co-operating with God, instead of laboring together with Christ, many who occupy positions of trust are working in opposition to Christ. The Lord has presented this to me in a most decided manner to present to His people." {KC 111.4}

Further Thoughts

There are many statements that speak to the unity that should exist between the people of God, and how God is unable to bless them while disunity exists.