What does God want--unity or uniformity? The Publishing Ministry, p. 100. The thoughts expressed [in the Bible] have not a set UNIFORMITY, as if cast in an iron mold, making the very hearing monotonous. In such UNIFORMITY there would be a loss of grace and distinctive beauty. RH November 9, 1897, par. 13. The connection of the branches with one another and with the Vine constitutes them a UNITY, but this does NOT mean UNIFORMITY in everything. UNITY IN DIVERSITY is a principle that pervades the whole creation. While there is an individuality and variety in nature, there is a oneness in their diversity; for all things receive their usefulness and beauty from the same source. The great Master Artist writes his name on all his created works, from the loftiest cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop upon the wall. They all declare his handiwork, from the lofty mountain and the grand ocean to the tiniest shell upon the seashore. This Day With God, p. 67. In the visible creation, divine wisdom is manifested in an endless variety of processes. UNIFORMITY is NOT THE RULE that is followed in the kingdom of nature. Neither is it the rule that is followed in the kingdom of grace. In different ways God works to attain one purpose—the saving of souls. By different methods the gracious Redeemer deals with different minds. The change of heart is as truly wrought out by one process as by another. It is the Lord working upon minds and molding characters. Manuscript Releases, 5:361. Life in nature objects to UNIFORMITY. There is variety in the human body, from the eyes to the feet. Yet all these members are dependent upon one another to make a perfect whole. In all the variety composing the human body, there is harmonious action in conformity to the laws controlling the being. Manuscript Releases, 6:30. In the visible creation, divine wisdom is manifested in an endless variety of processes. UNIFORMITY is NOT THE RULE that is followed in the kingdom of nature.—Letter 39, 1903, p. 2. (To John Wessels, February 28, 1903.) Manuscript Releases, 6:104. If they draw nourishment from the same source they draw nourishment from the same spirit. They drink in the same life-giving properties. Thus UNITY is preserved, and there is love one for another. But this does not make the branches an identity although it constitutes them a UNITY, NOR DOES THIS MEAN UNIFORMITY in everything. Christian unity consists in the branches being in the same parent stock, the vitalizing power of the Center supporting the grafts that have united to the Vine.—Manuscript 66, 1897, 10. (“The Vine and the Branches,” June, 1897.)
Posted on: Sat, 30 Aug 2014 23:57:00 +0000
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