The following is a condensed form of one of the most helpful documents to be found on the subject.
Signs of the Times, February 7, 1900
Christian unity is a mighty agency. It tells in a powerful manner that those who possess it are children of God. It has an irresistible influence upon the world…. We are to be one with our fellow-men and with Christ, and in Christ one with God. Then of us can be spoken the words, “Ye are complete in Him.” {Signs of the Times February 7, 1900, par. 1
In the plan of redemption a place is allotted to every soul. To each man is given his work. No one can be a member of Christ’s body and yet be inactive. Different lines of work are committed to different men, according to their several ability. The work of God’s people may and will be varied, but one Spirit is the mover in it all. All the work done for the Master is to be connected with the great whole. The workers are to labor together in concert, each one controlled by divine power, putting forth undivided effort to draw those around them to Christ. All must move like parts of well-adjusted machinery, each part dependent on the other part, yet standing distinct in action. And each one is to take the place assigned him and do the work appointed him. God calls upon the members of His church to receive the Holy Spirit, to come together in unity and brotherly sympathy, to bind their interests together in love. Signs of the Times, February 7, 1900, par. 2 …
All jealousy, evil surmising, and evil speaking are of him, and tend to produce discord and disunion. Then shall God’s people be at variance with one another? Shall they not be cemented together by the Holy Spirit, each worker filled with love and sympathy for his fellow-worker, each filling his appointment with faithful effort, seeking earnestly to prepare the way of the Lord? In the general discord there should be one place where harmony and unity should exist because the Bible is the guide. When the principles of God’s Word are followed, it becomes a bright light shining in a dark place. All who build on this Rock can be sure that their house will stand amid the tempest. Signs of the Times, February 7, 1900, par. 3 …
The Holy Spirit will work with the consecrated human instrument; for this is God’s purpose. … When God’s people place themselves in proper relation to Him and to one another, there will be a full impartation of the Holy Spirit for the harmonious combination of the whole body. Signs of the Times, February 7, 1900, par. 5
Nothing so manifestly weakens a church as disunion and strife. Nothing so wars against Christ and the truth as this spirit. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.” “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord; looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” Signs of the Times, February 7, 1900, par. 6
As long as we are in this world we must be linked with one another. Humanity is interlaced and interwoven with humanity. As Christians we are members of one another. … In helplessness and disappointment we are fighting the battles of life, and the Lord designs us, as His sons and daughters, whom He calls His friends, to help one another. This is to be a part of our practical Christian work. Who is my neighbor? Read and understand. Signs of the Times, February 7, 1900, par. 7
We can be united with one another only as we are united with Christ. … Our life should be bound up with His life. We should draw constantly from Him, partaking of the living bread which came down from heaven, drinking from a fountain ever fresh, ever giving forth its abundant treasure. When this is in truth the experience of the Christian, there is seen in his life a freshness, a simplicity, a humility, a meekness and lowliness of heart, that show all with whom he associates that he has been with Jesus and learned of Him. Signs of the Times, February 7, 1900, par. 8 …
Truth, with its divine power and influence, takes possession of us, making of believers one harmonious whole, of which Christ is seen to be the soul. Every element is working in right lines. Every worker who fills his appointed place is helping to uplift the cross of Calvary. Signs of the Times, February 7, 1900, par. 9
This is the unity God requires in His service. When God’s chosen people are of one mind, barriers of selfishness will disappear as by magic, and many, many more souls will be converted because of the unity which exists among believers. There is one body and one spirit. Those who have been building territorial lines of distinction, barriers of color and caste, might better take these down much faster than they put them up. Signs of the Times, February 7, 1900, par. 10
He in whose heart Christ abides recognizes Christ abiding in the heart of his brother. Christ never wars against Christ. Christ never exerts an influence against Christ. Christians are to do their work, whatever it may be, in the unity of the Spirit, for the perfecting of the whole body. The church is to be purified, refined, ennobled. The members are to cast from their hearts the idols which have hindered their advancement in spirituality. By the influence of the Spirit, the most discordant may be brought into harmony. Unselfishness is to bind God’s people together with firm, tender bonds. There is a vast power in the church when the energies of the members are under the control of the Spirit, gathering good from every source, educating, training, and disciplining self. Thus is presented to God a powerful organization, through which He can work for the conversion of sinners. Thus heaven and earth are connected, and all the divine agencies co-operate with human instrumentalities. Signs of the Times, February 7, 1900, par. 11