Are You in Step?

By: Rene Cassell

Unity is a precious commodity. When we look at the way the Psalmist David started Psalm 133, we see that he recognized this. He said, “Behold . . .” In other words, “Look upon this. Note it well.” Then he continued, “How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Notice that he didn’t say, “how good and pleasant,” but, “how good and how pleasant.” He emphasized his point by using the word how twice.

What does it mean to “dwell together in unity”? To dwell means “to reside,” so this phrase implies that there is a continuation of unity—that our objectives remain the same and that we continually have the same mind and same spirit.

It is wonderful to come to camp meeting. We enjoy each other’s fellowship, but it is for a short period. I wonder how it would be if we spent twelve months together here on this campground. Would we still be just as happy with each other? That is what “to dwell together in unity” means—to have fellowship and oneness in Christ, not just for a time but on a continued basis.

The Psalmist said, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is . . . ” There are positive effects of dwelling together in unity. Edification and growth takes place. Why? Because we are all going in one direction. When the instruction is “step right,” we all step right. When the instruction is “step left,” we all step left. I have never been in the armed forces, but I have seen military men marching, and the beauty of it is that everyone is in unity.

Unity produces a good feeling—a sense of harmony similar to that in music. There may be different parts to a piece of music, but when the instruments are all in tune and playing in the same key, oh, the harmony that results! What would happen if the musicians all decided to play in different keys? I am sure the result would not be pleasing.

The Psalmist says that it is good and pleasant for “brethren” to dwell together in unity. The brethren are those who have been born again by the Spirit of God. Romans 8:16 tells us, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” In a natural family, there is a head of the family and members of the family. Each one has his own responsibility, and if the family is to dwell together in unity, each one must fulfill his responsibility. Likewise, in the family of God there are different positions and responsibilities for the members. In the Book of Ephesians, Paul mentions some of the roles in the church and then gives the result of each member fulfilling his role: “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).

Helping each other is part of dwelling together in unity. When Moses needed to hold up his arms in order for Israel to prevail in battle, he became tired. Aaron and Hur stepped on the scene and held up his arms. There are times when those around us in the family of God are hurt or tired. Do we step in like Aaron and Hur did to “hold up their arms,” so to speak? What a wonderful thing it is to feel the support of other believers.

Jesus indicated the importance of unity when He prayed to His Father regarding His disciples, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:21). When we are one, the world sees it. We paint a beautiful picture for unbelievers, because unity is not common in most homes and workplaces. It should, however, be found in the Church of God.

Humility is a wonderful builder of unity. In Philippians 2:3 we are told, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Are you humble enough to think of others as better than yourself? We need that spirit of humility if we are to dwell in unity with each other. Paul continues, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Can you take pride in what others have? Are you happy for your brother who has a new car, or are you disgruntled that you have to drive an old one? Can you get down and thank the Lord that your brother got a good job even though he is earning more than you are? If we are trying to keep unity, that will be our spirit.

It is important to control the tongue if we truly desire to have unity. Paul admonished the Corinthian church to “speak the same thing, . . . that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (l Corinthians 1:10). Many times, divisions are brought about by what we say. Satan wants to sow discord in the family of God. He loves to see some difference between brothers progress to where a little hard feeling starts to develop. As soon as there is an opening, he gets a wedge in. At first he will tap it very gently so we will not even recognize what is happening, but he keeps pushing the wedge in farther and farther until eventually we are so far apart that we are not dwelling together in unity anymore.

Jesus knew that there would be times when we would differ with each other, so He told us what to do when that happens. “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone” (Matthew 18:15). Many times there is a tendency to go and tell everyone else about the disagreement, but that is not what the Bible says to do. We are to go to that person. Why? The verse continues, “If he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.” The difference could be settled that easily. However, if the wrong thing is done and the whole church knows about the problem, it may never be fixed.

Sometimes we may sense that there is a difficulty between us and someone else. Possibly we meet a brother and he does not smile, or we do not get the usual, “Good morning.” We think, I wonder if I have offended him? In Matthew 5:23,24, Jesus addresses this possibility also: “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” How could it be any simpler? If we want to dwell together in unity, we must deal with a situation in this way.

A number of years ago, a brother who lived in an isolated settlement in Newfoundland fell and broke his arm. Word got around about his accident and the saints in the locality came to his house to pray for him. They prayed for an hour or so but it seemed like the heavens were brass. Nothing was happening and the man was almost crazy with pain. Finally, the man got up and went to one of the sisters who was praying and asked her to forgive him for something that he had held against her. Immediately the heavens opened up and that man’s pain lifted. God undertook the very moment when he settled the difference with the sister. How important unity is!

The disciples of Jesus modeled unity of spirit. We read that they tarried for ten days in the Upper Room after Jesus’ ascension. During that time, there was a vacancy in the group of disciples since Judas was no longer in the circle. That could have caused a difference, but instead, I can almost hear Peter saying, “Let us pray about this. We want God to select for us.” How do we know this was the attitude of those present? In the next chapter, we find: “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place” (Acts 2:1). The selection of a new disciple had not brought division among them. They could still look around the room and be in harmony with each other. While they were waiting, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them. What brought it about? They were dwelling in unity. I believe any church today that dwells in unity and in prayer as the Early Church did will experience the same power.

We are in the last days. In our cities, many thousands of people are dying in sin. We need to be unified in our spirits so that we can go out and tell the Gospel to those people. This is no time for differences. We sing the chorus, “We are one in the bond of love,” and that is the only thing that will work. When everyone is connected to Heaven and to each other, the Spirit will come down and the results will go around the world.
Let us purpose to dwell together in unity, with our hearts and our spirits as one. When they are, we can expect God’s blessing!

Rene Cassell is pastor of the Apostolic Faith Church in Roddickton, Newfoundland, and oversees the Apostolic Faith work in Eastern Canada.