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Blessing of Unity - Psalm 133
Blessing of Unity - Psalm 133
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity"; but we also know how sad it is NOT to see this.
Jesus prayed for this unity, that all who believe in Him would be 'one' (John 17:20-23): 20“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22“The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.
The New Testament further instructs us concerning such unity.
Philippians 1:27 27Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Philippians 2:1–4 1Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,
2make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
Ephesians 4:1–4 1Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
1 Corinthians 1:10 10Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.
2 Corinthians 13:11 11Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
There are two aspects of this unity; doctrine and temperament. All such unity is to be found in the one faith, teaching the same things. This requires that you not just believe something, but that you believe what is taught by the revelation of God.
Our knowledge must also be personally applied so that we ourselves are being transformed in character. Read again and notice how much this unity is predicated upon you having the right frame of mind as well as the correct teaching: not selfish, not conceited, humble, gentle, patient, affectionate, loving, forgiving, etc. Many of our problems of unity come because we simply have failed to develop our character. Hugh DeLong
