“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.” — Romans 12:16
Continuing Our Journey Through the “One Another” Commands
Over the past several months in The Pastor’s Pen, we have been considering some of the beautiful “one another” commands found throughout the New Testament. Together, we have thought about encouraging one another, praying for one another, bearing one another’s burdens, serving one another, forgiving one another, and showing hospitality to one another.
These commands remind us that Christianity is not merely a personal relationship with Christ—it is a shared life with His people. God never intended His children to walk alone. He has placed us into a family, and He has given us responsibilities toward one another.
As we continue this series, we come to another essential command: “Live in harmony with one another.”
In a world marked by division, anger, and pride, this command shines like a light in the darkness.
A Beautiful Picture of the Church
When Paul tells believers to “live in harmony with one another,” he is not saying that every Christian must think identically or have the same personality. God has created His people with different gifts, backgrounds, experiences, and preferences.
Harmony does not mean uniformity.
Just as many notes combine to form one beautiful song, believers are called to live together in unity and peace. We are to have the same heart toward one another. We are to rejoice together, suffer together, pray together, serve together, and seek one another’s spiritual good.
What a testimony to the watching world when people from different generations, backgrounds, and walks of life gather together around one Savior and one gospel!
Pride Is the Enemy of Harmony
Paul immediately warns, “Do not be haughty… Never be wise in your own sight.”
The greatest enemy of unity is not personality differences. It is pride.
Pride makes us believe our preferences are supreme. Pride makes us slow to listen and quick to speak. Pride causes us to assume the worst about others. Pride seeks recognition, position, and attention.
But humility produces peace.
Humility listens. Humility overlooks offenses. Humility is teachable. Humility rejoices when others are honored. Humility remembers that every believer stands on level ground at the foot of the cross.
A church filled with humble people is a church filled with peace.
Pursue Unity, Not Arguments
We live in a culture that thrives on controversy. Social media rewards outrage. Television celebrates conflict. Even among Christians, there can be a temptation to argue over every preference and opinion.
But Scripture calls us to something better.
That does not mean we compromise biblical truth. True unity is always built upon truth. Yet among faithful believers, we ought to seek agreement rather than division, peace rather than conflict, and understanding rather than suspicion.
Not every hill is worth dying on.
The church should be marked by gracious conversations, patient spirits, and genuine love for one another.
The world has enough division. It ought to find something different among God’s people.
Why This Matters
One of the reasons we have been spending so much time considering these “one another” commands is because healthy churches do not happen accidentally. Unity, love, humility, and mutual care must be taught, cultivated, and practiced.
Every church faces the temptation toward selfishness, misunderstandings, preferences, and pride. Left to ourselves, we naturally drift toward thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought. That is why God, in His wisdom, has given us these commands. He knows what His people need.
My prayer is that as we continue studying these truths together—through these articles and eventually from the pulpit—the Lord would continue to shape us into the kind of church He desires us to be. A church where people are quick to forgive, eager to serve, faithful to pray, and committed to preserving unity.
None of us have arrived. We are all growing. We are all learning. And by God’s grace, we can grow together.
Looking to Christ
Ultimately, harmony among believers is possible because of Jesus Christ.
Though we were sinners and enemies of God, Christ reconciled us to Himself through His death on the cross. He has made us one family. He has given us one Spirit, one hope, one faith, and one Lord.
Therefore, let us strive to preserve the unity He has purchased.
May there be no room for pride, selfish ambition, or unnecessary division among us. Instead, may Cedar Baptist Church continue growing into a church where Christ is exalted, His Word is loved, and His people genuinely love one another.
And may the Lord continue to make us a church family that lives in harmony with one another—for His glory and for the good of His people.