September 26 | Week 4: Life Together
Unity Is Precious
Psalm 133
1 A song of ascents. Of David.
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! 2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. 3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
God Gives His Blessings In Unity
1. What does the writer say it is like when God’s people live in unity?
David (the writer) says it is pleasant and good when God’s people live in unity. He continues and explains it is like precious oil poured on someone’s head. Furthermore, he mentions the oil flowing down Aaron’s beard and onto the collar of his robe. Lastly, David compares it to the dew of Hermon falling on “Mount Zion”.
Unity Protects Blessing & Holiness
All of this imagery is rich and represents varying things from holiness, sanctification (precious oil), God’s presence and refreshment (dew) upon his people (Zion).
2. What does God bestow where there is unity (v. 3)?
God promises to bestow his blessing there. Additionally, more literal translations of verse 3 read “…For there the LORD commanded the blessing—life forever.” (Psalm 133:3 NASB) Therefore, God commands the blessing-life forever when we protect unity and live in it!
Make Every Effort For Spiritual Unity
Ephesians 4:1-6
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Unity Takes Complete Humility
1. What does it take to keep the unity of the Spirit (v. 3)?
The scripture teaches that it takes “every effort”! Additionally, the context of this verse explains that unity demands complete humility, gentleness, patience, and forbearance founded in love. Unity takes complete humility. Therefore, I should ask myself often if I am being completely humble for the sake of protecting sincere unity!
2. What attitudes help unity, and what attitudes destroy it?
The attitude of pride destroys unity. Therefore, I must make every effort to be humble to protect unity. Honestly, I believe that the reason the scripture lists “complete humility” is because humility is the foundation of all the other attitudes that build and protect unity.
Protect Unity By Crucifying Pride, Impatience, and Apathy
For example, gentleness without humility is condescending at best. Arguably, genuine patience cannot exist without humility as without humility it would mean a manipulative intent. forbearance means forgiving someone their shortcomings and is translated as “put up with” in other verses like Matthew 17:17, Mark 9:19, and Luke 9:41. Sadly, my own lack of patience has single-handedly done more harm to spiritual unity in every relationship. Furthermore, forbearance that is not founded in love will be hopeless, resigned that the person will never change, and leads to apathy and/or detachment.
FIRST Go And Be Reconciled!
Matthew 5:23-24
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
1. If someone has something against you, what does Jesus say to do first?
Jesus says that I should go and actively be reconciled to them before I worship at God’s altar. Clearly, Jesus puts the responsibility on me to “go and be reconciled” and he says to do this “FIRST”!
Empathize With God As A Father
2. Why does he put this even before worship?
This attitude and the accompanying actions ensures that I will not be a hypocrite! Additionally, I won’t have an unloving heart towards one of God’s children while worshipping God or taking communion. God bestows blessings where there is unity. Furthermore, I would feel heartbroken if I knew one of my children had hurt the other and neither did anything to reconcile matters. God makes reconciliation a priority when I think this way.
Go Make It Right
APPLICATION: Unity does not just happen, we have to protect it. Is there anyone in the church you have tension with? Go make it right this week, before it grows.
I will be praying about this just to make certain!
