The Psalmist said: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psalms 133:1)!  
Too often, having good brethren with whom to have fellowship in worship to our Lord and in His work is taken for
granted.  That is, we simply fail to be as thankful as we ought to be for the fellowship we have one with another.  As a
Christian, you are part of something larger and more significant than yourself.  Paul said: “For I say, through the grace given
unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think
soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.  For as we have many members in one body,
and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of
another” (Romans 12:3-5).

   Brethren in the infancy of the church understood the need for one another.  They spent time together on a daily basis (Acts 2:
46).  Brethren sure seemed to understand more then, than today that the body is not one member, but many (I Corinthians 12:
14).  Paul instructed the church of Christ in Corinth to understand that each member of the body was necessary for the body to
function.  Just as we in our physical bodies need our eyes, ears, and nose; the body of Christ needs each member (I
Corinthians 12:15-27).  

   The unity of the body of Christ is shown not only in the fact that there is one body (Ephesians 4:4), but also in our agreement
in doctrine and judgment (I Corinthians 1:10, Philippians 2:2, and Philippians 3:16).  This even more effectively equips brethren
to work together on a local basis.  Thus, we can be built up by each other.  Notice what Paul said: “But speaking the truth in
love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined
together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of
every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:15-16).



   When this world beats us up, we know we can go to the word of God for edification (Acts 20:31).  However, we must also
be able to come to our brethren.  Sometimes it feels like everyone, except for the Almighty, is against us.  It is then that we
come to our brethren for comfort (Philippians 2:25-30).  Brethren are supposed to be in each other’s lives so that we may
comfort and edify each other (I Thessalonians 5:11).  In one of my favorite texts, Solomon said: “Two are better than one;
because they have a good reward for their labour.  For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is
alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.  Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how
can one be warm alone?  And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly
broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).  When we fall brethren, who better to catch us than those of like precious faith?



   In times when we fail our Lord, it is our brethren whom we should be able to depend upon that will be there to bring us back
(Galatians 6:1, James 5:19-20, and Jude 22-23).  Faithful brethren will love us enough to rebuke us when such needs to occur
(Proverbs 27:5 and Revelation 3:19).  Faithful brethren will tell us when our hearts are not right with the Lord and they will
instruct us to repent of the wickedness we are doing (Acts 8:21-22).  Faithful brethren will bring their differences with us, to us;
rather than spread those things to everyone else (Matthew 18:15-17).  Moreover, when we repent of the wrong that we do;
faithful brethren will be with us as they will forgive us of those trespasses (Luke 17:3-4).  Then when our brethren get us on the
right path they will be there to keep us on that path.



   In a congregation of God’s people there may be teachers, preachers, elders, etc.  However, there are also the lessons we
learn from each other that are not formatted into a class at the building owned by the congregation.  There are those lessons
that the older men and women of the congregation will teach to the younger men and women of the congregation (Titus 2:2-5).  
There are those lessons that all of the members will learn from when any of the brothers or sisters in Christ lead godly lives in
the midst of the saints (Philippians 3:17).  We will learn humility from each other (John 13:1-16).  We will learn hospitality from
each other (Romans 12:13).  We will learn what it means to give and receive by the examples our brethren properly set forth
(Acts 20:35).  We will learn about life from those of our brothers and sisters in Christ who live it in a godly manner (I Timothy 4:
12).  We will not only learn from each other, but we will share with one another.



   While we certainly ought to share with each other in times of need (Acts 4:32-35), that is not the point of this section of the
article.  The point is this, how lonely would we be without each other in our work here?  Imagine trying to worship alone (not
that such is scriptural, for it is not – Acts 20:7).  Imagine not having anyone to share our studies of the Gospel with.  Imagine
what it would be like here locally not to sit together in our studies three times per week and learn from each other’s knowledge
of the Scriptures.  We need to be especially thankful for God’s wisdom in having brethren to assemble together to provoke one
another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:22-25).



   Truly, we are a blessing to each other.  It is a great thing that we can with one mind and one mouth glorify God (Romans 15:
6).  Paul often spoke of how he thanked God for the brethren (Romans 16:3-4, I Corinthians 1:4, Ephesians 1:16, Philippians 1:
3, Colossians 1:3, I Thessalonians 1:2, etc.).  Maybe we ought to realize more of what Paul understood and we ought to also
be praying not just for our brethren, but also because of our brethren!
Volume VII   ~   Issue XXXVII   ~   June 10th, 2007
Words of Truth Weekly - Online Edition
What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)?  Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:17), repent of their
sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38 and
Romans 6:1-6).  Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47
and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16).  One must then remain faithful (Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10).
Edited by: Brian A. Yeager
We Are Blessed to Have Each Other
By: Brian A. Yeager
We Are Blessed With Each Other For Edification
We Are Blessed With Each Other in Times When We Fail our Lord
Conclusion
We Are Blessed With Each Other to Learn From One Another
We Are Blessed With Each Other in our Fellowship With One Another