Psalms 133

Unity in the Body of Believers

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! ~ Psalms 133:1

Growing up in a Baptist church, I was deeply rooted in strong biblical teaching, heartfelt hymns, and a passion for leading people to Jesus. I learned the importance of personal salvation, the power of prayer, and the unwavering truth of God’s Word. But as I grew in my faith and connected with believers from different denominations, I began to see a bigger picture of the body of Christ. I met Full Gospel believers who showed me the beauty of spiritual gifts and vibrant worship. I learned from non-denominational churches about structured discipleship and deep personal conviction. I witnessed the reverence and awe of God in Catholic and Orthodox traditions. Each denomination carried a unique expression of faith. But I also noticed something troubling, the divisions between the denominations.

Even within the Baptist tradition, there were divisions. There were Southern Baptist, Independent Baptist, Regular Baptist, American Baptist, and General Baptist, just to name a few. These separations can be confusing for those unfamiliar with the faith and, at times, can even turn people away. If the body of Christ is meant to be unified, why do we allow our differences to pull us apart?

Psalm 133:1 reminds us, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”However, all too often, instead of dwelling in unity, we allow our differences to divide us. We let theological disagreements, worship styles, or traditions keep us from fully receiving one another as brothers and sisters in Christ and working together on the purpose of our heavenly Father. The enemy thrives on division, knowing that a disconnected church is a weaker force in the world. But God designed His body to function as one.

Just as a body has many parts, each with a distinct purpose (1 Corinthians 12:12-27), so different denominations bring unique strengths to God’s kingdom. The Baptists’ commitment to preaching the Word, the Full Gospel’s boldness in the Spirit, the non-denominational’s a heart for structured discipleship, the Presbyterian’s bring deep theological grounding.  Each sect brings something valuable. What if, instead of competing, we complemented one another? What if we worked together, allowing our distinct gifts to build up the kingdom rather than tear it apart? Then, we would be like the precious oil running down the head and beard of Aaron, covering his garments. Like the dew on the mountains, God’s anointing and blessings would flow like never before.

Here are some practical ways we can pursue unity today:

1. Acknowledge Our Common Ground – At the core of our faith is Jesus Christ, His life, death, and resurrection. If we stand on that foundation, we have more in common than we think. Take the time to focus on what unites us rather than what divides us.
2. Engage in Fellowship – Step outside your denominational walls. Attend a gathering with believers from another background, read books from different Christian perspectives, and listen with an open heart.  Identify the strengths of what others bring to the effort to win the world.
3. Pray for Unity – Jesus prayed in John 17:21 that we would be one just as He and the Father are one. Unity isn’t something we force, but it is something we seek through the Spirit.
4. Work Together for the Kingdom – Whether through missions, outreach, or serving the poor, imagine the impact if the church united as one. We are far stronger together than we are apart.

Psalm 133:2-3 describes unity as “like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron.” This oil represents anointing, God’s blessing poured out when His people walk in harmony. The psalm ends with this powerful truth: “For there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forevermore” (Psalm 133:3). Unity isn’t just a good idea; it’s where God’s blessing flows the greatest.

Today, I want to encourage you to rise above division. It’s time to link arms with our brothers and sisters in Christ, celebrating our differences while standing firm in our shared faith. When we do, we become an unstoppable force and a unified body reflecting the heart of our Savior. Let’s take a step today toward unity, knowing that in doing so, we honor God and strengthen His kingdom.

Become the answer to Jesus’ prayer for unity and show the world the power of a church that stands together. Because when we are one, the world will see Him more clearly.

Today’s scripture reading; Psalms 133

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments.

3 It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing—Life forevermore.