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“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psa. 133: 1). If God’s people in any community are to accomplish anything worthwhile, unity is not only good, it is absolutely necessary! The church in far too many places has destroyed its potential for good influence and the saving of souls because it couldn’t be at peace within. It is tragic when brothers in the same house become enemies. It is doubly tragic when spiritual brothers and sisters can’t live without petty disputes. There is no more disheartening trouble to lovers of Truth and righteousness than church trouble. It is hard for those who have not been through it to adequately appreciate how lovely it is to be a part of a church composed of loving, forbearing, united people. Notice some of the blessings of unity among God’s people.
1. There is encouragement in unity. Where there is unity there is singularity of purpose. There is a natural encouragement toward achievement of a goal when many are working in harmony to reach it. When there is strife in a group it settles like a cloud of discouragement over any proposed plans.
2. There is joy in unity. When peace and good will prevail in a group, it is a joy to assemble, to visit, to plan and to work together. Those outside are much more likely to be drawn to the group by such an atmosphere; but where there is tension, unresolved conflict, bitterness of spirit and enmity, there is little laughter and joy to be found.
3. There is progress in unity. What can a church accomplish when strife prevails? Energies that should be spent in productive work are spent nursing grudges, seeking revenge, hunting a cause of accusation, etc. However, when people are one, they can be concerned with the common foe, and great progress can be made toward his conquest.
4. There is strength in unity. A little child can snap a piece of twine but combine twenty pieces of twine and a grown man can’t break them. The Lord intends for His people to work together, both in each church and all over the brotherhood. How we dissipate our strength by dissension! May we ever give “diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3).
[Note: I wrote this article for and it was published in The Edifier, weekly bulletin of Pearl Street Church of Christ, Denton, TX, April 9, 1987, of which I was editor.]
Attribution: From thescripturecache.com; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.
