A Call to Prayer – Unity

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14.

“Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?” Daniel 8:13.

Time is running out, and the last message of warning must go to the sin-sick world.

“As the time comes for it to be given with greatest power, the Lord will work through humble instruments, leading the minds of those who consecrate themselves to His service. The laborers will be qualified rather by the unction of His Spirit than by the training of literary institutions. Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal, declaring the words which God gives them.” The Great Controversy, 606.

This, we are told, is going to be a global loud cry, a global outpouring of God’s Spirit, but where are we going to bring those who believe? Are God’s people ready to receive this influx of people?

When the early rain fell at Pentecost, the believers “were all with one accord” (Acts 2:1). Is that the condition that we find ourselves in today with so many diverse views on what we should eat, how we should dress, and even what we believe? We have a dilemma, and if we wait until we all agree on every point, we will be here forever. Satan just loves to keep God’s people divided!

Paul tells us that by “being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1. Because we have been justified, we have peace—oneness, unity.

“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:12. There is no justification in the law (Romans 3:19), but we are “justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:24.

To be justified means to be accepted as if we had never sinned. The third angel’s message is a message of justification by faith. Ellen White said, “Several have written to me, inquiring if the message of justification by faith is the third angel’s message, and I have answered, ‘It is the third angel’s message in verity.’ ” Evangelism, 190.

We are unprepared and cannot give the third angel’s message with power unless we are living it ourselves. This means keeping the law in the strength of Jesus Christ Who, through His ministry in the Most Holy Place, makes atonement for our confessed sins. Jesus simplified it further—“love one another” He said, “as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34). But we have so much division amongst us! There are churches where some people refuse to talk to others for various reasons.

The devil knows that when this message of justification by faith is properly understood, his power will be broken.

“What is justification by faith? It is the work of God in laying the glory of man in the dust, and doing for man that which it is not in his power to do for himself. When men see their own nothingness, they are prepared to be clothed with the righteousness of Christ.” The Faith I Live By, 111.

To wear the robe of Christ’s righteousness, we must do away with all dissention. People can unite on their own nothingness and wretchedness and rejoice in the fact that Jesus sees us as if we had never sinned.

Jesus said, “A new commandment I give unto you, 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.” John 13:34, 35.

At the cross, the ungodly were treated as if they had never sinned. Jesus offered Himself so we could accept His righteousness. If He treats us as if we had never sinned, can we accept our brethren as if they had not done us any harm?

Too often we have a reason for our actions and continually justify ourselves. Jesus gave no reason to sin. If sin could have a reason, then it could be excused. Jesus gave us a perfect example; when He was reviled and treated like a common criminal, there was no retaliation found in Him.

This is the key to victory over sin. Justification by faith takes away all personal justification. Those who have truly experienced this will have forgiveness and love toward others—pray together, unite!

Let us corporately pray for this condition, to be of one accord. This is the condition of the people on which the latter rain will fall. “Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 507.

We all have special burdens on our hearts, most of which are common to many people. Let us share one another’s burdens and pray together for those things that are applicable to a whole group of people.

Please contact us with your requests by writing or emailing to: landmarks@stepstolife.org, so we can pray together to hasten the coming of Jesus and help others to be ready for that day.