Psalm 133:
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment poured on the head, that ran down on the beard, even the beard of Aaron [the first high priest], that came down upon the collar and skirts of his garments [consecrating the whole body]. 3 It is like the dew of [lofty] Mount Hermon and the dew that comes on the hills of Zion; for there the Lord has commanded the blessing, even life forevermore [upon the high and the lowly].
This sounds like it is a very good thing to be in unity! But, do we REALLY know what this means?
Verse one says that it is "good", the Hebrew word "towb", which means: pleasant; excellent; rich; valuable; appropriate; prosperous; welfare; happiness; and "pleasant", the Hebrew word "na`iym", which means: delightful; pleasant; agreeable; for brethren (children of the same Father) to "dwell together in unity." Dwell means to remain or sit in a place. The key word here is "together". The phrase "in unity" is not an actual word, but an article that joins the ideas of dwelling and together. "Together" is the Hebrew word "yachad", which means: a unit; a union; a unitedness; a community. Do you see that even though we are all so very unique, with different personalities, gifts, talents, callings, anointings, interests, and areas of influence, we are still to be of one mind and in one accord! This does NOT mean that we all view everything in life in the same way. Just as the four Gospels are different in that they are given from the perspective of four different individuals who view things from their own individual and unique vantage point, so we, though one IN HIM, also have different and unique ways of looking at things! We KNOW that we are all individual members of HIS body. Imagine the different view that each part of your physical body has of the whole body. Have you ever closed one eye and then looked out at what you could see of your face from that one eye? Now imagine what your body looks like from the angle of the feet! Get the picture? We will all see some things differently from each other because our of own unique perspectives! The "togetherness" comes when we all agree on the simple Truths of the Gospel:
- We were all sinners in need of a Savior.
- Jesus came to earth to give His life as a ransom for ours.
- He rose from the dead and is now at the right hand of the Father.
- We MUST accept and receive Him as our Lord and personal Savior in order to be born again.
- We have been given the ministry of reconciliation, which involves telling everyone we know how they, too, can be born again.
Anything else is simply not essential to eternal salvation! There are many Truths in the Epistles that enable us to lead a powerful and wonderful life here on earth, but some refuse to accept them. Instead of being critical and judgmental of them, why not simply pray for them and agree with them on what we CAN agree on! THAT is where the good and pleasant come in! AMEN! Here is an older song from Hillsong called "Touching Heaven Changing Earth":
Shalom in Him!
