Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Behold how beneficial and joyful it is for brothers and believers to dwell and live together in unity. David sang this with voice and harp in the cave of Adullam in the mountains of Judah when his brethren and all his father's house came down to him there for safety from Saul. After tasting the bitterness of distrust from his own brothers, he found as an exile joy in the sympathy, affection and harmony that then united the family in that lonely refuge.
It is good and pleasant not only to live together but also to work together in unity, and this unity in living and working is especially needed when engaged in important work for God. The goodness of unity among brothers means brothers are to be firmly united both in their family relationship and in Christian fellowship. Unity brings strength and has power for good, while disunion has power for evil and contention and strife bring great weakness. Suspicion and distrust corrupt like leaven, whereas when each person watches over their own soul and governs their own spirit instead of scrutinizing others, hearts come together, divisions are broken, and Sabbathkeepers gain power and strength.
The unity called good bears witness to the power of the truth. Unity of heart grows through welcoming one another into the home and sharing in fellowship, and through friendly association, mutual contact, and lasting friendships, creating an atmosphere of love pleasing to heaven. To live and work in this unity, brothers and sisters need grace in their hearts to prevent friction so they can work together quietly and well. This means governing one's own spirit, making room for others to serve without jealousy or selfishness, working together intelligently to meet the needs of the church's responsibilities, and humbly seeking the Lord together and working as one, since separate organizations create discord rather than unity.
Behold how beneficial and joyful it is for brothers and believers to dwell and live together in unity. David sang this with voice and harp in the cave of Adullam in the mountains of Judah when his brethren and all his father's house came down to him there for safety from Saul. After tasting the bitterness of distrust from his own brothers, he found as an exile joy in the sympathy, affection and harmony that then united the family in that lonely refuge.
It is good and pleasant not only to live together but also to work together in unity, and this unity in living and working is especially needed when engaged in important work for God. The goodness of unity among brothers means brothers are to be firmly united both in their family relationship and in Christian fellowship. Unity brings strength and has power for good, while disunion has power for evil and contention and strife bring great weakness. Suspicion and distrust corrupt like leaven, whereas when each person watches over their own soul and governs their own spirit instead of scrutinizing others, hearts come together, divisions are broken, and Sabbathkeepers gain power and strength.
The unity called good bears witness to the power of the truth. Unity of heart grows through welcoming one another into the home and sharing in fellowship, and through friendly association, mutual contact, and lasting friendships, creating an atmosphere of love pleasing to heaven. To live and work in this unity, brothers and sisters need grace in their hearts to prevent friction so they can work together quietly and well. This means governing one's own spirit, making room for others to serve without jealousy or selfishness, working together intelligently to meet the needs of the church's responsibilities, and humbly seeking the Lord together and working as one, since separate organizations create discord rather than unity.