We can get along only with the aid of the Lord’s Holy Spirit and with humility. Sadly, Christians fight due to the lack of both. Proverbs 13:10 (NIV), “Where there is strife, there is pride…”

As it is stated in Psalm 133:1, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity”. When we are thus united in truth and love, we are edified and develop the fruits of the spirit. We find, however, that from the beginning of the establishment of Christianity, there was disharmony in the Church. The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 that “the mystery of lawlessness is already at work…” He tried to encourage the Corinthian brethren (1 Corinthians 1) not to have divisions but to be of the same mind – because there were quarrels going on. He basically told them to remember that Christ is the foundation, and that we only boast in the Lord, glorifying Him, not ourselves. This is what was going on in the early church and continues even to this day, as we see disharmony around us.

So, “what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?” (2 Peter 3:11)

Continuing in Psalm 133, the last two verses state: “It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” This precious oil is the Holy Spirit, which has anointed the Church, beginning with our Head, Jesus, and all the Lord’s people since then, to guide our steps in our knowledge and understanding, and also as a lubricant where friction arises among each other. This Holy Spirit helps us develop its fruits, such as “…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” (Galatians 5:22), so that we may “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34, 35) We effect the change in ourselves, manifest our love toward the Lord, His truth, and those of His people, which will help keep us from disputings and arguings, and please Him, which is the goal.

“It is only when we are little in our own eyes that God can use us with safety to ourselves.”