Principles for Christian Leaders

Results of disunity

It is not the opposition of the world that we have to fear, but it is the elements that work among ourselves that have hindered the message. The efficiency of the movements for extending the truth depends upon the harmonious action of those who profess to believe it. Love and confidence constitute a moral force that would have united our churches, and insured harmony of action; but coldness and distrust have brought disunion that has shorn us of our strength.—Letter 77, 1893 (January 9) PCL 57.2

The Spirit of Christ is grieved when any of His followers give evidence of possessing a harsh, unfair, or exacting spirit. As laborers together with God, each should regard the other as part of God’s great firm. He desires that they shall counsel together. There is to be no drawing apart, for the spirit of independence dishonors the truth we possess.—Letter 270, 1908 (September 23) PCL 57.3

Fellow laborers, we are sowing the seed which we will reap for eternal life. The harvest is ours, to reap that which we have sown. If you sow distrust, envy, jealousy, self-love, bitterness of thought and feelings, this harvest you will be sure to reap. This will be a sowing of dragon’s teeth to reap the same.—MS 2, 1881 (December) PCL 57.4

Be sure to pray and counsel together before coming to decisions and laying your plans, and then, in the Spirit of Christ, push the work unitedly. If one of your number decides that he cannot cooperate with his brethren, and has no desire to work because of differences of opinion, the course to be pursued is without a question. Humble yourselves before God and resort to prayer, for you cannot and must not attempt to work at variance. PCL 58.1

From any one who persists in stubbornness and self-will, God will remove His Spirit, and another will wear the crown that was for him. God accepts only those who will learn of Christ, those who study His Word, learning the lessons of meekness and lowliness of heart, lessons of obedience, willingness to do their work in God’s way, not their finite way. . . . PCL 58.2

Love of self, pride, and self-sufficiency lie at the foundation of the greatest trials and discords that have ever existed in the religious world. Again and again the angel has said to me, “Press together, press together, be of one mind, of one judgment.” Christ is the leader, and you are brethren: follow Him. Walk in the light as He is in the light. Those who walk in the footsteps of Christ shall not walk in darkness but those who draw apart in unsanctified independence cannot have God’s presence and blessing in the work. . . . PCL 58.3

Workers can easily place themselves where divine love, power, and wisdom cannot reach them, where they cannot have help in counsel, in difficulties and trials, because they would not understand and rightly appropriate heaven’s rich treasure. They would glorify themselves, and think their own ways perfect, and become established in self-righteousness.—Letter 4, 1890 (March 9) PCL 58.4

It was shown me that broader plans should be laid, but at the same time the work in each branch of the cause should be harmoniously united with that in every other branch, all making a perfect whole; but now, selfish ideas and principles are interwoven with the plans of the workers, which make the work defective. One man, who has the oversight of a certain line of work, magnifies his responsibilities until his one branch, in his mind, is above every other branch, when in reality all are equally important. When this narrow, selfish idea is received, all his energies are set to imbue the people with the same idea. This is human nature, but not after Christ’s order. Just in proportion as this policy is followed, Christ is pushed aside and self appears prominent. When the Saviour is allowed His part in the work, none will become entirely absorbed in any one branch of it, but all will have broad ideas and will attribute to all parts of the work their due importance.—Letter 21a, 1888 (October 15) PCL 59.1

All who believe the great truths for this time, if sanctified through the truth, will wear the yoke of Christ. They will lift the burdens of responsibility. A spirit to act independently and alone must not be cherished. If they do this, in the place of the Lord’s people being in perfect harmony, of one mind, one purpose, and consecrated to one grand object, they will waste their capabilities, and their efforts will be fruitless. PCL 59.2

Some may say that they love the Lord, but that they cannot love their brother as they should. The brother may have ways that are very trying; he may do things that are unwise; but if his brethren, who have had longer experience and a more even, well-balanced judgment shall refuse to connect with the one who grieves and tries their soul, they reveal that they are not followers of Christ. They reveal that they do not follow the example of Him who clothed His divinity with humanity, that by laying aside His glory and His kingly honor, He might reach humanity.—MS 56, 1898 (April 27) PCL 59.3