A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forevermore. (Psalm 133)

Unity Of Brethren

David understood the character of God’s people and the purpose they served in the scheme of God’s divine plan. The Lord created Adam and Eve as two people bound together in the unity of family but distinct in their characteristics. Humanity would bear the mark of their individuality as the world exploded in population. The murder of Abel was as much a stain on the purpose of God for men to live together in harmony as the act itself. From the beginning, God desired His creation to live in peace with one another. People are different from one another and must learn to live together and respect one another. The Law of Moses was filled with commands of how brethren were to treat one another. When Moses delivered the Ten Commandments, the first four were directed toward the relationship of man and God, and the final six of how men were to treat one another. There can be no vertical relationship with God if a man refuses to have the right kind of horizontal relationship with his brethren.

The spirit of unity has always been what God desires. He commands those who seek to follow His will to seek harmony in their relationships with one another. Aaron and Miriam murmured against Moses to the anger of the Lord. They were not trying to help Moses and to bring about unity. Korah tried to lead a rebellion against Moses, and he and his followers were destroyed by the hand of God. They were trying to destroy the unity of the people of God. Complaining, murmuring, gossiping, and divisive speech angers the Lord. It is the will of God that His people walk in the paths of unity. There is nothing better than God’s people serving the same purpose under the same banner, seeking the same unification of the work of the Lord.

Paul told the preacher Titus that if people are causing division, to give a first and second warning, and if they refuse to repent, have nothing more to do with them. To the Roman church, Paul urged them to note those who cause division and disunity and to avoid them. Unity is the character of those seeking to show the pattern of the New Testament. Luke speaks of the church in the early days having peace, filled with edification, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. As a result of this unity, they were multiplying. That is where the church grows, and that is where it falls. Churches that are filled with unity-minded people will grow in spirit and number. Those churches who spend their time fussing, complaining, refusing to move forward, and causing division will die.

Unity is the grand design of God for His church. When brethren work together toward the same goal, growth happens. Leaders must be united. Members must seek the same goals. The work of teaching the lost is motivated by the desire to stand together in the work of the Lord, united under the same banner, fighting the same battle, seeking the same cause, and helping one another accomplish the work of the Lord. There is little time for distractions. Lost souls fill the landscape, and the church must be busy with the work of unity. Each individual who is doing their part in unifying the hearts of the members to the goal of saving souls will see the blessings of growth from the hand of God. How joyful it is when brethren dwell together in unity. Seek it. Demand it. Live it. Unity.