Unity Among Brethern

Psalm 133 – “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.”

To me this is one of the most beautiful passages in the Word of God. It paints a picture of that which is desired by God for unity among His children. Precious oil here signifies value, something that is not just the “run of the mill” product. We can sing, have the same doctrines and teaching. We can serve in the same church, fellowship in meetings and have the semblance of being together or as some would call it “unity of fellowship”.

Most Christians regard oil as a symbol of the Person and ministry of the Holy Spirit. In thinking of Psalm 133 , this is where my mind always goes. The idea of the Holy Spirit being the oil that causes unity. We cannot have unity unless it is derived from God’s way of forming it. How one perceives of unity creates the pathway one walks and talks unity. Is our idea of unity flowing from God’s design?

Listen to Paul’s call to the Ephesians: “ I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Ephesians 4:1-3 "He called these believers to “being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

As leaders of churches and ministries, we should be about seeking unity. Not in the sense of getting along together ( no strife) or in a gathering to proclaim we believe the same things, but rather the “flow of unity” that is caused by being surrendered to the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and minds. We can exercise the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and walk in the Gifts to the Church given by Christ yet we often show a lack of Unity in the Spirit. The Unity of the Spirit is about being in a life style of surrender to His leadership in all things and not about our perception of how we think unity should be.

When unity is present, then David’s proclamations is being lived out: “For there the Lord commands the blessing – life forever.” We are ascending to His ways of Unity and not descending to our thoughts of what unity should be.

Paul’s language to the Galatians shows us how to know that the “Oil of Unity” is present. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” 5:22-25

Allow me to encourage you all, along with myself to pray, for the unity that allows us to be in step with God’s Spirit that calls and causes us to be in true Unity. May the Oil of the Spirit reveal anything that prevents you from being brethren that dwell together in unity. Pray for revelation of how to seek that unity of the Spirit daily so that you will experience “the blessing, even life for evermore.”

I am praying for this Unity of the Brethren to fall upon you during your gathering today. Seeking His Grace for us all…….Brother James Ulmer