The Signs of the Times
November 26, 1902
Christ's Prayer For Unity
Christ's last prayer before His trial was for the unity of His followers. “That they all may be one, as We are,” He prayed. O that the importance of this prayer might be impressed on our hearts! O that the spirit of this prayer might influence and control our lives! ST November 26, 1902, par. 1
“Neither pray I for these alone,” He continued, “but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; 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. 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.” ST November 26, 1902, par. 2
Upon the virtue of Christ's sacrifice for us we are all agreed. His prayer for us is that we may be made perfect in one. Shall we not, by obeying His word, make it possible for God to answer this prayer? ST November 26, 1902, par. 3
Harmony existing among men of varied dispositions is the strongest evidence that can be borne that God has sent His Son into the world to save sinners. True Christians are distinct in individuality, and they differ in disposition; but they are sanctified by the same spirit, and they are one in the understanding of the things of God. They are different parts of the same great temple. ST November 26, 1902, par. 4
“A new commandment I give unto you,” Christ said, “That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” ST November 26, 1902, par. 5
Why did Christ call this a new commandment?—Because He was yet to give, in the sacrifice of His life, the crowning evidence of His love. When this offering should have been made, the gift would be complete, and the disciples would understand more fully the meaning of the new commandment. “As I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” ST November 26, 1902, par. 6
Should not this love be appreciated? Shall we not strive to answer the Saviour's prayer for unity,—the prescription for the cure of all alienation and strife? Shall we not, without an hour's delay, begin to fulfil His purpose for us, loving one another as He has loved us? Then will come the glorious result; because we are bound together by the golden chain of love, men will know that we are Christ's disciples. And the heart of the Saviour will be filled with rejoicing. ST November 26, 1902, par. 7
We are sometimes asked, Why does not God work miracles through the church today, as He did in the days of the apostles?—Because the church refuses to be guided and controlled by Him. Christ's love in the heart, revealing through the life its wondrous power,—this is the greatest miracle that can be performed before a fallen, quarreling world. Let us make it possible for God to work this miracle. Let us put on Christ, and the miracle-working power of His grace will be so plainly revealed, in the transformation of character, that the world will be convinced that God has sent His Son to make men as angels in life and character. ST November 26, 1902, par. 8