The Church: Its Organization, Order and Discipline

Seek Unity

How else could it be known that the heart is imbued with that first fruit of the Spirit, “charity”-love-that “suffereth long, and is kind; ... seeketh not her own, is easily provoked, thinketh no evil” (1 Corinthians 13:4, 5), if it be not that the person heeds the instruction to “speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.” Titus 3:2. And again, “Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:3-5. “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.” “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” Romans 12:10, 18. COOD 37.3

Those who are seeking by the grace of God to live in harmony with these scriptures will be better prepared to adopt the following divine instructions: “Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.” Romans 12:16. “Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:8, 9. “All of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” 1 Peter 5:5. “I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10. COOD 37.4

It is “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Matthew 12:34. In order to have the mind and word right toward the brethren, there must be other and better food for thought than their supposed failings. The apostle has given us a grand lesson on this point in the following text: “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8. COOD 38.1