Brotherly unity

Brotherly unity…how far do we take it?

Psalm 133

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

God loves unity and blesses brothers who live in unity! What is unity?

Here's how important unity it…

Mathew 5:21-24

"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother, will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca', is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

If someone has a problem with you then go to him and be reconciled before coming to worship! Unity with our brothers comes before the worship of God. Why would someone else's issues with you have any bearing on your worship of God?

We are meant for community. God sees us as individuals – true – however he made us to be in right relationship with one another (community). When we break faith with one another we sour and embitter one another which flows directly into our relationship with God. Jesus teaches us that the kind of love which God desires of us can be seen in the extent to which we are committed to staying reconciled with one another – even if that means humbly initiating reconciliation when it's not you that has the problem. If we can accept that we are to "love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us" then this teaching shouldn't be too hard to live with.

Be reconciled.

So the bible places a high value of unity/fraternity/brotherhood…we are told to be reconciled to one another…to live in unity. Why?

Let's look at what the bible teaches…

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

So here we see that by walking together there is…

1. help when in need
2. comfort
3. others watching our back
4. strength/synergy when things get hard

When Jesus is praying for his disciples…

John 17:22-23

"I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."

Here Jesus teaches that…

5. he desires that we be completely unified
6. our unity will reveal to the world that Jesus is God's son
7. our unity will reveal God's love for the world

This ideas is also given to us as an image…we are all different parts of one body …

Ephesians 4:11-16

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

So here we see that the result of acting together as one produces…

8. Spiritual maturity/like Christ
9. Protection from heresy/abuse

Here's the body metaphor again in Romans…

Romans 12:4-8

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Do you see yourself as a member of the same body with others? Do you mutually belong to others or do you stand alone? Is this a comfortable thought for you? Why not?

So, to summarise…

God blesses brothers in unity.

Unity with our brothers comes before the worship of God.

When brothers are in unity:

1. there is always help when it is needed
2. there is comfort
3. we have others watching our back
4. we have strength/synergy when things get hard
5. we are following Jesus' teachings
6. Jesus as God's son is shown to the world
7. God's love is revealed to the world
8. We can achieve spiritual maturity becoming like Christ
9. We are protected from heresy/abuse

But how far should we take it…

Here is unity in practice in early church…

Acts 2: 42-47

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Does this bear any similarity to the current church idea about unity? Why not?

Here is unity between two great men of God; David (fresh from killing Goliath) and Jonathon (killer of Philistines).

1 Samuel 18:1-3

After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father's house. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

Unity…becoming one…male intimacy. What does it mean for men? Is it only gay when it becomes sexual. How close should men get to one another?

What impact could we have on the world as a truly unified group of brothers?

I want to explore this topic over the following weeks because I believe that we need a vision for what it means to be traveling together as brothers. We need to discover the idea of unity and brotherhood and of oneness. Only then will we become effective in the kingdom of God, only then will we be fulfilling the place God has mapped for us as members of the body of Christ.

If we walk together in unity we are capable of changing the world.

All for one and one for all.