Get Along with Others

“A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalm 133:1
One of the hardest things in life is to get along with others. We are all different, and we will have our own opinions. Most will have disagreements and will often disapprove of what others may do. 

If one is a Christian, however, we should get along with others, especially other believers. After one is born-again into the family of God, one has an obligation and is commanded to get along with fellow Christians.

There is much in God’s Word about getting along with other Christians. Here is some of what the Bible teaches about having relationships with other believers:

• We are commanded not only to get along with other Christians, but we are to love them.
  “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” John 13:34
  “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” John 15:12
  “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Gal. 5:14 Also: John 15:17, Rom. 13:8, I Thes. 3:12, I Thes. 4:9, Heb. 13:1, I Peter 1:22, 2:17, I John 3:11, 23, I John 4:7, 11-12.
• Christians should desire to fellowship with those of similar beliefs. “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;” Rom. 12:10
• There will be differences and disagreements among believers, but we must strive to get along with others.
  “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;” Eph. 4:2
  “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” I Peter 5:5
• Ultimately, all Christians should be like-minded in the things of God. Our beliefs should unify us.
  “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” Philippians 2:2
  “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:“ I Pet. 3:8
• We should love and strive to help and meet the needs of our Christian brothers and sisters.
  “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” Gal. 5:13
  “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:” Heb. 10:24
• Christians are your brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray for them as you would your biological family members.
  “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16
• Getting along with other believers is a good testimony to others who are watching our lives. Likewise, those who are at odds with other members of the family of God are poor testimonies. Disunity among the brethren is observed and is often a reason others no longer go to church or associate with believers.
  “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:35

It is not always easy to get along with others, including Christians. Some of the worst damage done to Christianity, however, is the feuding, fussing, and fuming done among believers. The world sees this, and it becomes a black eye for the cause of Christ.

It takes Christian maturity and often much humbleness, but for Christ’s sake and His cause, we must try to love our fellow believers.  It can be most “pleasant” when we get along with Christian family members.

“Love is the doorway through which the human soul passes from selfishness to service and from solitude to kinship with all mankind.”  — Author Unknown