“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”

How wonderful and lovely it is when unity exists among brethren. And how bad, unpleasant, and ugly it is when unity does not exist among brethren. For example, at the church in Corinth, where there were quarrels (contentions among some (1 Cor. 1:11). There was envy, strife, and divisions. Paul could not speak to them as spiritual, but carnal, because of their shameful behavior (1 Cor. 3:1-3). And so, he pleaded with them “by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10).

We are not here speaking of the so-called “unity in diversity” regarding doctrinal beliefs that so often the religious world speaks. That we can belong to various denominations and faiths and supposedly have unity with one another even though we all teach and practice different things religiously. No, that is not what the Bible teaches whatsoever. Jesus prayed for oneness (unity) among those who would believe in Him based on the teaching of His apostles (John 17:20-21). Bible ground is unity ground.

We must abide in the doctrine of Christ to have fellowship with God and His Son, as well as with one another (2 John 9-11; 1 John 1:5-7). We must teach no other doctrine (1 Tim. 1:3), but hold fast to the pattern of sound words (2 Tim. 1:13). And of course, if we speak, to speak (teach) as the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11; 2 Tim. 4:2).

For brethren to truly dwell together in unity doesn’t just happen. Unity requires godly attitudes, holding fast to truth, and great effort. We must “walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1-3). All while embracing the seven unifying truths that “there is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Eph. 4:4-6).

And so, let us recognize, embrace, and seek the great and beautiful truth that David declared so long ago: “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” But then let us pursue a unity that Jesus prayed for and the apostles wrote of in their epistles.