A Song of Ascents, of David.
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, Even Aaron’s beard, coming down upon the edge of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon coming down upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing – life forever. (Psalm 133)
King David is describing what Jesus’ church can be like. God’s Spirit will amply anoint His priests who serve Him as one body. Instead of His anointing the world sees our division. Organizations have become tribes separated by pride. Tribes that boast in their more perfect understanding of the ways and thoughts of God as they ridicule the faith of others. So many brothers have forgotten or ignored the apostle Paul’s words to pagans who had been saved.
“Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking in the Spirit of God says, ‘Jesus is accursed’; and no one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:3) “The one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him. (1 Corinthians 6:17) That and that alone determines who is part of the body of Christ. Not the correctness of theology. Granted, errors are plentiful, but arrogance is a poor and rejected instructor.
When the apostle was explaining his high aspirations to the Philippians he ended by saying, “Let us therefore, as many as are mature, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you.” (Philippians 3:15) He simply told it as God revealed it, and trusted that the Spirit would also reveal to his brothers as they matured in Christ. He exhibited unity in Christ’s Spirit.
“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 over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:4-6) How good and how pleasant it is for those who dwell in this unity. Before Jesus experienced our death He asked His Father for something that He wanted His disciples and us to have. And He gave His reason for asking.
“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that 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.” (John 17:20-21)
Father, we say “Amen” to Jesus’ prayer. Your Spirit continues to lead us into all truth. It is the way of life eternal, life with You. In our life be glorified as we live in unity. May we no longer be deceived by the one who comes to steal and destroy that which You call “good and pleasant.” We ask this in Jesus’ name. Thank You.
“If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you will be also.” (John 14:3)
To dwell in unity is to acknowledge one crucified and resurrected Lord, one baptism and one Spirit
He calls it “good and pleasant.” We need more of that.
His Family Table 