Working Together
If there is one thing more important than another in church life, it is that the members work together in carrying out their plans and policies. To find a way so that each can act a part, and do his share in the sphere for which he is best fitted, will make for harmonious and efficient service in all church relationships.BSPC 167.3
The apostle Paul sought very earnestly to impress this thought upon the members of the early church. Time and again in his letters we find expressions such as:BSPC 167.4
“We are laborers together with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:9.BSPC 167.5
“We then, as workers together with him.” 2 Corinthians 6:1.BSPC 167.6
“You also helping together by prayer for us.” 2 Corinthians 1:11.BSPC 167.7
“With one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” Philippians 1:27.BSPC 167.8
“That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love.” Colossians 2:2.BSPC 167.9
Paul evidently maintained this attitude of love and fellowship with his colleagues in service, for he refers to them as “my fellow workers” (Colossians 4:11). “my fellow laborers” (Philippians 4:3), “my fellow helpers” (2 Corinthians 8:23). “my work fellow” (Romans 16:21), “my fellow soldier” (Philippians 2:25). And “my yoke fellow” (Philippians 4:3).BSPC 167.10
Such a spirit of unity can be brought about only when both leaders and people manifest the utmost confidence in one another jealousy and prejudice must be put aside. There must be a willingness on the part of each person to take the place assigned to him and then labor, not as unto man, but as unto God. When the love of God is shed abroad in the hearts of His people, there will be a spirit of confidence, there will be love and fellowship, and church members will feel a joy and spiritual satisfaction in their communion one with another.BSPC 167.11
In his letters to the church at Corinth, and at Galatia, Paul expresses this very beautifully when he writes:BSPC 168.1
“Having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.” 2 Corinthians 2:1BSPC 168.2
“I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.” 2 Corinthians 7:16.BSPC 168.3
“I have confidence in you through the Lord.” Galatians 5:10.BSPC 168.4
How this must have cheered the hearts of the believers in those churches, to receive assurance from their beloved leader that he regarded them with such love and affection.BSPC 168.5
“The success of our work depends upon our love to God, and our love to our fellow men. When there is harmonious action among the individual members of the church, when there is love and confidence manifested by brother to brother, there will be proportionate force and power in our work for the salvation of men.”—Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 188.BSPC 168.6
Another important phase of church life is to cultivate the habit of speaking well of one another. How easy it is to see the faults and failings of others; how easy it is to make these things the subject of conversation. What a commendable thing it would be for our own experience if we would see and talk of the excellencies of our brethren and sisters! What a change this would make in our relationship together in the church of Christ. Paul learned how to do this, and he counsels the brethren to do likewise. In his letter to the church at Rome he wrote, “Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love.” Romans 12:10. This is the only place in the New Testament where the original word is used and translated “kindly affectionate.” But it conveys its own beautiful meaning. The thought is that of tenderness—be tenderly affectionate one toward the other.BSPC 168.7