Psalm 133:1-3 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! "Many things," says Bishop Horne, "are good which are not pleasant, and many pleasant which are not good. But unity among brethren, whether civil or religious, is productive both of profit and of pleasure. Of profit, because therein consisteth the welfare and the security of every society; of pleasure, because mutual love is the source of delight, and the happiness of one becomes, in that case, the happiness of all." I. THE NATURE OF CHRISTIAN UNITY AMONG BRETHREN. 1. They all receive the same infallible standard of belief and practice — the oracles of the living God. 2. An ingenuous and open avowal of the truths whereto they have already attained. They must not disguise their convictions in deference to the judgment of others; nor even seem to approximate towards any view which is not, according to their conscientious judgment, founded on the Word of God. 3. Cordial acceptance of Christ and His great salvation. II. SEVERAL MEANS WHICH SUBSERVE ITS PROMOTION. The cultivation of "a meek and quiet spirit." 2. Habitual watchfulness against rash and uncandid judgments of our brethren. Let mutual jealousies and envyings be repressed as destructive of brotherly affection; and let there be no rivalry but that of provoking one another to love and good works. 3. Prayer — offering our united adorations, confessions, and thanksgivings at the throne of grace. (J. Smyth, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: {A Song of degrees of David.} Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!WEB: See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity! |
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