I was reading in John 17 this morning and Jesus’ prayer really stood out to me. I never realized before what his primary concern for believers was – to live in unity with God and with each other.
John 17:11b – “Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.”
John 17:20-24 – “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will belive in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may belive that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.”
The purpose behind the unity of believers is so that the world would know about Jesus. This lead me to ask some questions.
- Have we succeeded in the area of unity as Jesus prayed?
- How can we improve in this area?
- Is unity in the church really that important for evangelism?
I’m interested to know your thoughts on these. Please post a comment if you have any thoughts.
