and keeping Jehovah’s organization clean and at unity. These differences are few; but love will even lessen them. So let each one resolve now to continue “putting up with one another in love, earnestly endeavoring to observe the oneness of the spirit in the uniting bond of peace.”—Eph. 4:2, 3.

Love Gives No Cause for Stumbling

“In no way are we giving any cause for stumbling, that our ministry might not be found fault with; but in every way we recommend ourselves as God’s ministers.”—2 Cor. 6:3, 4.

1. (a) How has love been defined? (b) Why is it worth cultivating?

LOVE has been defined as an unselfish interest in others based on principles. In our previous discussion we observed how the exercise of Christian love will help us to solve personal problems that may arise; however, love can do much more than that. This unselfish interest in the spiritual welfare of others can, in many instances, even prevent such problems from arising. The proper exercise of it may likewise remove stumbling blocks from the paths of others even before such become a cause of stumbling to them. At the same time love for God and for neighbor will enable us to get a proper view of ourselves and others so that we acknowledge that all of us are born imperfect, subject to human weaknesses, frailties and limitations, and this will help us to avoid being stumbled because of what others may do or say. Certainly, then, love as a fruitage of God’s spirit is a quality well worth cultivating, is it not?

2. (a) How can it be said that the conduct of a Christian is bound to affect others? (b) Why is the matter of stumbling others such a serious one?

² Above all others, dedicated Christians will recognize the need to bring forth in their daily lives this fruitage of the spirit. They are engaged in a worldwide ministerial work that can influence the lives of many persons, and their desire is that it be an influence for good and that it will result in life-giving benefits to those with whom they come in contact. They want their conduct to have a good effect on others, not to cause them to stumble. The apostle Paul, too, realized the importance of this and wrote: “In no way are we giving any cause for stumbling, that our ministry might not be found fault with; but in every way we recommend ourselves as God’s ministers.” (2 Cor. 6:3, 4) That this stumbling of others is not something to be taken lightly was well shown by the words of Jesus in Matthew 18, a chapter dedicated to a treatment of the relationship between Christian brothers. He said: “But whoever stumbles one of these little ones who put faith in me, it is more beneficial for him to have hung around his neck a millstone such as is turned by an ass and to be sunk in the wide, open sea. Woe to the world due to the stumbling blocks! Of course, the stumbling blocks must of necessity come, but woe to the