John 17:20-26 ESV
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
Priority Of Oneness
Jesus prays often but this is one where his disciples are present to hear it. This was the last prayer of Jesus before his death. He is praying for all the believers at that time. In many ways, this is like the final words of a man about to die. What does he pray for? He prays that all the believers would be one. He prays for unity among the church. This is not what comes first to mind in the mind of the typical believer. We have many priorities, but this would not be very high. This oneness in the church exists; it just needs to be exercised. Upon joining with Christ, we are now joined with all the other believers. We all have life in Christ. This unity is not something we are struggling to create. But what we must do is live out this unity. Much like children of God are called to live out lives as we already are... Children of light. In Christ, we are family. Much like bickering siblings, we have to acknowledge that we are family and we should love them because they are of the same blood.
Pattern Of Oneness
The pattern we see is analogous to the godhead. There is a unity in diversity. There is one person yet three distinct aspects. The church is not called to be homogenous. We are not supposed to be the same. Cultural differences do not disappear in heaven. They are celebrated. The church is to be diverse ethnically. It is also to be diverse in spiritual giftings.
This unity is to be characterized by self effacing love. We are to serve others and give others glory. Self centeredness is seen as statically revolving the self. Loving others is seen as being dynamic. We are loving others, revolving around others. And when two or three are revolving around the others, the result is a dance. (Tim Keller) we should not value relationships by what others can give us. We should love others not by what we can get from them. We should love as God loves.
Purpose Of Oneness
Unity in the church is a testimony to the world that Jesus and the gospel is true. The world is always protecting self interest and comforts. But the church is called to something else. We are called to give to those who care not for us, those who may even hate us. We are called to serve them. That is the church testimony to the world. This unity is a priority. We must find love for those within the church who are unlike us. Those we may have bitter history and conflict.
Unity in the church requires time and investment. We need to meet regularly with other church members. We need to make time and space for the church. For us, this probably means the community group.
John 17:26 ESV
"I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
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