Few earthly joys compare to the sweetness of true unity. David wrote, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity” (Psalm 133:1). This psalm is part of a collection of psalms called the Songs of Ascent (Psalm 120-134).
The city of Jerusalem sits high on a hill, and three times a year, Jewish pilgrims would ascend the hill to the city and Temple for their feast celebrations—singing these songs together. With his fellow countrymen, all heading toward the same destination and worshiping the same God, David was overwhelmed. He said, “Behold!” Stop and look at this. Pay attention. This is good and this is pleasant!
Unity is a gift, and Psalm 133 concludes, “For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore” (v. 3). Unity comes from the Lord and reflects his character and relationship within the Trinity. Jesus prayed that his disciples would be one, just as he and the Father and Spirit are one (John 17:11). Our unity with one another flows from our union (our oneness) with Christ.
We need God’s help to live in unity. As you meditate on these 20 verses, ask the Lord how you can grow in love, patience, humility, and peace with your brothers and sisters in Christ.
20 Bible Verses on Unity
- Psalm 133:1 (ESV)
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! - Malachi 2:10 (ESV)
Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our fathers? - Matthew 18:19–20 (ESV)
Again, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. - John 17:11 (ESV)
And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. - John 17:23 (ESV)
I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. - Acts 4:32 (ESV)
Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. - Romans 6:5 (ESV)
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. - Romans 12:16 (ESV)
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. - Romans 14:19 (ESV)
So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. - Romans 15:5 (ESV)
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus. - 1 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV)
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. - 1 Corinthians 12:12 (ESV)
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. - Galatians 3:26–28 (ESV)
For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. - Ephesians 2:14 (ESV)
For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility. - Ephesians 4:1–6 (ESV)
I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace… - Ephesians 4:11–13 (ESV)
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers… until we all attain to the unity of the faith… - Ephesians 4:16 (ESV)
From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped… makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. - Philippians 1:27 (ESV)
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ… standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. - Philippians 2:2 (ESV)
Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. - Colossians 3:14 (ESV)
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Tune your heart to his
To experience this oneness, we don’t pursue unity as an end in itself; we pursue the God of unity! In his book The Pursuit of God, A.W. Tozer explains:
“Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow.”
So, tune your heart to Christ. Seek him first. By loving God with all your heart, mind, and soul, you’ll be able to love your neighbors as yourself. This will open up pathways to enjoy unity that you wouldn’t have known apart from pursuing Christ.
As you ascend his holy hill, with your eyes fixed on him, look to your brothers and sisters on the right and left. Pursue Christ together, and behold the gift of unity. It is good and it is pleasant.
Cara
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- 20 Bible Verses About Restoration
- 20 Bible Verses on Showing Kindness to Others
P.S. To understand our unity, we need to understand our union with Christ. Grab this free download with 125 Verses on our Union with Christ.
