God's word is authoritative. The interpretations placed upon it, or the opinions of men about it, are not. It is here the party spirit reveals its true nature. It interprets God's word in justification of the partisan position, substitutes the interpretation for revelation, then demands acquiescence in the arbitrary interpretation as the word of God, and disfellowships all who refuse to do obeisance to such tyranny of mind and thought. Schism and division are condemned.
Disciples are to forbear one another in love.
But the flesh wars against the Spirit, and the party spirit, being a work of the flesh, is opposed to the unity of the Spirit. Instead of being eager to maintain such, it is zealous to destroy it. I have watched with amazement as men have taken the word of the Spirit, revealed to secure and maintain unity, and used it to sanction and defend division and disunity. It has been screened to find some scriptural reference to justify perpetuation of a partisan alliance, and erection of human standards and opinions as tests of fellowship. One would think the chief aim of the Christian was to proclaim division and practice disfellowship, and the highest moral attainment is reached when one is the most forward exponent of factionalism.