​

Again the controversy over who should be the greatest seemed to flare up when Jesus called the indignant disciples to Him and said to them, "Ye know that they which are called rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their kings exercise authority over them: but it is not so among you." (Mark 10:42,43) In the kingdoms of the world, position meant self-aggrandizement. It was assumed that the people lived for the benefit of the ruling classes. Influence, wealth, education, these were the means by which the leaders obtained power over the multitudes. The upper classes were to think, decide, rejoice, and rule; the lower classes were to obey and serve. Religion, like all other things, was a matter of authority. The people were expected to believe and act as their rulers desired. The right of man as man to think and act for himself was no longer recognized at all. Christ was setting up a kingdom which had different principles. He called men not to authority, but to service, the strong to bear the infirmities of the weak. Power, position, talent, and education placed upon their possessors the highest obligation to serve their fellow men. Even to the humblest of Christ's disciples it is said, "All things are for your sakes." (2 Corinthians 4:15.) "The Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:28.) In the midst of His disciples Christ was in every respect a servant, a burden-bearer. He shared their poverty. He denied Himself for their sakes, He went before them to smooth the rough places, and He was soon to bring His earthly life to a completion by laying down His life. The principle upon which Christ acted should also actuate the members of the church, who are His body. The plan and basis of salvation is love. In Christ's kingdom they are greatest who follow the example He has given them, and who act as shepherds of His flock. The words of Paul reveal the real dignity and honor of the Christian life: "Though I am free from all men, yet have I made myself servant to all." (1 Corinthians 9:19.) "Not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved." (1 Corinthians 10:33.) In matters of conscience the soul is not to be encumbered. No man is to rule over the thoughts of another, or dictate to him his duty. God gives to every soul liberty of thought and of following his own convictions. "Every one of us shall give account of himself to God." (Romans 14:12.) No man has the right to merge his own individuality in that of another. "Let every man" in all matters of principle "be fully persuaded in his own judgment." (Romans 14:5) In the kingdom of Christ there is no haughty oppression, no forced conduct. The angels of heaven come to earth not to rule and exact honors, but as messengers of grace, to labor with men for the uplifting of the human race. The principles and even the words of the Savior's teaching, in their divine beauty, remained in the memory of the beloved disciple. To his last days the great theme of John's testimony to the churches was, "For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another." (1 John 3:11) "Hereby know we love, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." (1 John 3:16) This was the spirit with which the early church was pervaded. After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, "the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul; neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common." (Acts 4:32) "For there was not one needy among them." (Acts 4:34) "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all." (Acts 4:33)