"Take the recipe God has provided, and carry it to the spiritually diseased. Give him the remedy that will cure the disease of disaffection."
In the course of doing a search using the terms unity, Father, Son and "Holy Spirit," I came across many statements on the importance of unity. I often read a few paragraphs before the search result and after. In so doing, I discovered that the following unpublished article by Ellen White—Lessons From the Eighteenth of Matthew—is a jewel on the necessity of unity in the church, and the process by which this unity is to be pursued. This was a paradigm changing article and one that I am going to review and prayerfully ponder further over the next couple of days. I will share more from this article the next time I post.
Matthew 18:15-17 (NKJV) “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector."
"He sought to lead them [His disciples] to understand that it is spiritual excellence of character that His believing people are to receive, not earthly display or splendor, wealth or position. None of these things constitute greatness in God’s sight. None of them are of any weight with Him. A character bearing the semblance of Christ’s spotless character is of value in God’s sight. Such a character would make the disciples as a little child, eagerly desiring to take the hand of Christ, and be led in safe paths. They would cherish a submissive spirit, willing to wear the yoke of Christ and learn of Him His meekness and lowliness. Thus they would be enabled to walk wisely in a perfect way. They would be changed into Christ’s likeness." {Ms47-1902.2}
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"In the Lord’s kingdom, those who have served Him in humility and simplicity will be placed first. They will be especially honored because they trusted in Christ with the confiding simplicity of real faith. The Good Shepherd gives the greatest care to the weakest of the flock." {Ms47-1902.6}
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“Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.” [Verse 15.] This is the way in which misunderstandings are to be settled. Speaking alone, and in the Spirit of Christ to the one who is in fault, will often remove the difficulty. Show Christlike love for your brother by seeking to adjust the difficulty “between thee and him alone.” Talk quietly together. Let no angry words escape your lips. Present the subject in a way that will appeal to his best judgment. And if he will hear you, you have gained him as a friend. Whatever the character of the offense may be, this does not change the plan God has made for the settlement of misunderstandings and personal injuries. Act out the Spirit of Christ. Take the recipe God has provided, and carry it to the spiritually diseased. Give him the remedy that will cure the disease of disaffection. Do your part to help him. Feel that it is a duty and privilege to do this, for the sake of the peace of the church, which is very dear to the heart of Christ. He does not want any wound to remain unhealed on any member of His church. All heaven is interested in the interview between the injured member and the one who has been guilty of error. After settling the difficulty, pray together, and angels of God will come to you and bless you. There is music in heaven over this union." {Ms47-1902.9}
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“But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.” [Verse 16.] Take those who are spiritually minded and talk with the one in error in regard to the wrong done. He may yield to the united appeals of his brethren. As he sees their agreement in the matter, his mind may be enlightened. {Ms47-1902.13} “And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church; but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto them as an heathen man and a publican.” [Verse 17.] When this has been done, then the church has cleared herself before God. These precautions are given to preserve the unity and purity of the church and to prevent the evil from becoming more public and more widespread. The evil must be made to appear as it is, and it must be removed; for the health and purity of the church must be preserved, that she may stand unsullied in the garments of righteousness. "{Ms47-1902.14}
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"All are to strive to preserve perfect harmony in the church, which is to be like a well-regulated family. In the church below, God’s children are to be prepared for the great reunion in the church above. Those who here live in union with Christ may look forward to an endless life in the heavenly courts." {Ms47-1902.15}—Mrs. Ellen G. White