Unity among God’s people is emphasized throughout Scripture as something good and pleasant. Psalm 133:1 states, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” This psalm extols the blessings of unity and provides insight into why unity is so valuable for God’s people.
Unity Reflects God’s Nature
First and foremost, unity reflects the nature of God. God exists as a trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – perfectly united in purpose and essence. When believers live in unity, they display God’s triune nature to the world (John 17:20-23). Their oneness testifies to the watching world of the power of God’s love to transcend differences and bring reconciliation.
Ephesians 4:4-6 declares there is “one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call – one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Unity affirms these spiritual realities and demonstrates the true nature of God’s kingdom.
Unity Strengthens Our Witness
Secondly, unity strengthens the witness and work of believers. Jesus prayed that His followers would be unified so that the world would believe in Him (John 17:20-21). When Christians live in harmony, it testifies to the veracity of the Gospel message. People notice when believers lay aside differences for the sake of Christ and His mission.
Conversely, division weakens evangelistic efforts. Paul reprimanded the Corinthian church because their infighting hindered the advance of the Gospel (1 Cor 1:10-13). A divided church loses credibility in the eyes of the world. As Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).
Unity also enables believers to pool their God-given strengths and spiritual gifts for more effective ministry (1 Cor 12:12-27). By working together instead of apart, they can reach the lost and spread the Gospel message with greater fruitfulness.
Unity Brings Glory to God
Most importantly, unity brings glory to God. Jesus prayed for oneness among believers “so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:21). Unity testifies to God’s work in reconciling sinners to Himself in Christ (2 Cor 5:16-21). The love exhibited through unity shows that we are His disciples (John 13:35).
Paul encouraged the Philippian church to live in unity so they could bring glory and praise to God: “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:1-4).
As believers walk in humility and love toward one another, God is honored and glorified. Unity displays His transformative power and grace. In contrast, strife and division obscure the Gospel message and dishonor God.
Unity Brings Spiritual Blessing
Psalm 133 goes on to describe two blessings that flow from unity among God’s people. First, unity is like “precious oil” poured out on the head that runs down onto the beard and clothing (v. 2). Oil was used to consecrate people and objects to God’s service. So unity sets apart God’s people for His divine purposes.
Second, unity brings spiritual refreshing like “the dew of Hermon” that flows down the mountains of Jerusalem (v. 3). Dew was a blessing in ancient Israel, providing moisture for crops. Unity similarly refreshes and sustains God’s people spiritually as they labor together for His kingdom.
These vivid word pictures portray the sweet blessings unity brings. Where there is oneness among believers, there God commands blessing (Psalm 133:3). As Christ’s followers seek harmony and fellowship with one another, they experience the enriching work of the Holy Spirit in their midst.
Unity Requires Humility and Love
How then can believers live in godly unity that glorifies Christ? First, walking in humility is essential. As Philippians 2 instructs, each person must consider others more significant than themselves. Pride, selfish-ambition, and conceit destroy unity. Humility fosters it.
Secondly, living in unity requires acting in love. Believers must be patient, kind, forgiving, and thoughtful toward one another (1 Cor 13:4-7). As Paul wrote, “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). Demonstrating Christlike love promotes unity when offenses and disagreements inevitably come.
Thankfully, Christ does not leave His followers to pursue unity alone. He enables unity by giving believers His Holy Spirit. As Paul wrote, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3). Through the Spirit, diverse believers become one body (1 Cor 12:13). The Holy Spirit produces the supernatural fruit of love to sustain unity (Gal 5:22-23).
As believers walk in humble, loving, Spirit-dependent unity, they fulfill Christ’s desire and experience the blessings of Psalm 133. Unity is indeed good and pleasant among God’s people.
Unity Must Be Grounded in God’s Truth
At the same time, unity must be grounded in God’s truth as revealed in Scripture. The early church understood this, devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching (Acts 2:42). Paul corrected the Corinthian church’s tolerance of sin, explaining that truth and holiness must not be sacrificed for the sake of unity (1 Cor 5).
Jesus emphasized the importance of truth: “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17). Unity without regard for biblical truth leads to compromise and false doctrine. Scripture must define the boundaries of unity among believers.
Within the bounds of biblical truth, followers of Christ can graciously hold different perspectives on secondary doctrines and practices. The church consists of people at varying stages of spiritual growth. Patient teaching and humble dialogue can overcome unnecessary divisions on secondary issues. “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Phil 1:27).
But on foundational doctrines like the Gospel, the deity of Christ, salvation by grace, and the authority of Scripture, no compromise can be made. Believers throughout the ages have defended these precious truths, even to the point of death. While contending for the faith (Jude 3), Christians must speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15).
Unity is precious, but never at the expense of God’s revealed truth. With love, patience, and dependence on the Holy Spirit, believers can walk in unity while still holding to biblical convictions.
Pursuing the Unity Christ Desires
As Christ’s church, how should believers pursue the unity He desires? Here are some key ways:
- Focus on Christ – He unites believers in Himself (Gal 3:28)
- Emphasize our shared Gospel call and purpose in Christ (Eph 4:1-6)
- Cultivate humility instead of selfish pride (Phil 2:1-11)
- Show patience, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness (Col 3:12-14)
- Esteem others more highly than ourselves (Phil 2:3-4)
- Submit to spiritual leaders (Heb 13:17; 1 Pet 5:5)
- Seek common ground without compromising truth (Eph 4:3)
- Aim for unity on core doctrines, extend grace on secondary ones (Rom 14:1-12)
- Contend for the faith while speaking truth in love (Eph 4:15)
- Depend on the Holy Spirit to produce Christlike fruit (Gal 5:22-23)
As churches follow these biblical principles, they can walk in the unity Christ intends – for their own blessing and God’s glory.
Famous Unity Passages in Scripture
Several key passages emphasize the importance of unity in the Bible:
- Psalm 133:1 – “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”
- John 17:20-23 – Jesus prays for unity among believers to reflect the unity between Himself and the Father.
- Acts 4:32 – The early church was of “one heart and soul.” They shared selflessly with one another.
- Romans 15:5-6 – Paul prays for unity so “with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
- 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 – Paul appeals to the divided Corinthian church to “agree, and that there be no divisions among you.”
- Ephesians 4:1-6 – Paul urges unity in the church reflecting the “one body and one Spirit…one hope…one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.”
- Philippians 2:1-4 – Paul pleas for unity through humility: “in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Old Testament Examples of Unity
The Old Testament records both positive and negative examples of unity among God’s people:
- The nation of Israel was called to sacred unity around Yahweh and His covenant (Ex 19:5-6).
- God rebuked King Abijah for leading the divided northern and southern kingdoms rather than fostering unity (1 Kings 14:7-9).
- King Hezekiah led revival by urging Israel to unite and worship Yahweh only (2 Chron 30:12).
- The returned exiles unified to rebuild the temple under leaders Zerubbabel and Jeshua despite opposition (Ezra 3:1-9).
- Nehemiah urged Israel to unify and work together to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls which strengthened them against enemies (Neh 4:6, 15-20).
- Daniel’s three friends displayed unified courage in defying Nebuchadnezzar’s idol and trusting God alone (Daniel 3).
- The Tower of Babel account displays forced, godless unity that God thwarted by confusing human language (Gen 11:1-9).
New Testament Examples of Unity
The New Testament contains many examples and teachings on unity among believers in Christ:
- The early church was unified in prayer, sharing, and witness (Acts 2:42-47, 4:24, 32).
- Barnabas demonstrated grace and encouragement that promoted unity between Paul and other believers (Acts 9:26-27).
- Paul urged the Corinthians to remain unified in Christ despite differences of opinion on secondary issues (1 Cor 1-4).
- Paul corrected Peter’s hypocrisy and division that threatened Gospel unity between Jewish and Gentile believers (Galatians 2).
- Ephesians 4 instructs how unity practically fleshes out through humble speech, patience, gentleness, grace, and Christlike love by the Spirit’s power.
- Jesus prayed for present and future believers to share His unity with the Father through the Spirit (John 17:20-23).
Biblical Warnings Against Disunity
Scripture strongly warns against disunity, strife, and division among God’s people. Here are some key passages:
- Proverbs 6:16-19 – God hates those who sow “discord among brothers.”
- Romans 16:17-18 – Mark and avoid those who cause “divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine” of Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 – Paul chastises quarreling, division, and aligning with church leaders instead of Christ alone.
- 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 – Division in the church demonstrates worldliness and spiritual immaturity.
- 2 Corinthians 13:11 – “Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace.”
- Galatians 5:19-21 – Strife and division characterize the sinful nature, not the Spirit’s work.
- James 3:13-18 – Bitter jealousy and selfish ambition lead to disorder and evil. The wisdom from above yields peaceable fruit.
- 1 John 4:20-21 – Hating fellow believers nullifies our love for God.
Quotes on Biblical Unity
Christian leaders throughout church history have emphasized the importance of unity:
- “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” – David (Psalm 133:1)
- “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” – Paul (1 Corinthians 1:10)
- “Christians are like the several flowers in a garden that have upon each of them the dew of heaven, which, being shaken with the wind, let fall their dew at each other’s roots, whereby they are jointly nourished and become nourishers of one another.” – John Bunyan
- “In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity.” – Augustine
- “Unity to be real must stand the severest strain without breaking.” – Mahatma Gandhi
- “We should never desire to be distinguished from other Christians. Let us lean entirely on God; and not be surprised if we feel ourselves weak in the midst of our brethren.” – Francois Fenelon
- “The bond that unites the faithful with Christ and with one another is such that whoever offends one, offends all the rest.” – John Calvin
Reflection Questions on Biblical Unity
Consider the following reflection questions related to pursuing Christlike unity:
- Who in your life is difficult to maintain unity with? How can you love them sacrificially?
- Do you value unity just for unity’s sake or because it glorifies God?
- How are you tempted to elevate opinions over biblical truth?
- What passions or desires threaten your unity with other believers?
- How has disunity hindered witnessing your faith to others?
- Does your church culture value diverse groups and demographics?
- Who exemplifies biblical humility that cultivates unity? What can you learn from them?
- What essential doctrines must never be compromised for the sake of unity?