Regarding: Unity

(from Living Life)

❝A Common Denominator {John 17:20-24}

As Jesus was about to complete the work He was sent to do, He prays for the future church for which He was going to die a sinner's death on a cross. This prayer would cover future generations of believers. He prays for the unity of the church--to be unified as a powerful witness to reveal the reality of God's love. This unity is not based on our background, geographical location, or even theological beliefs. The unity of the church would be based on the same unity shared by the Father and Son: "That all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me, and I am in You." Through this expression of love for one another, the world would come to believe and know God. In other words, our greatest apologetic (defense for God) is not in our ability to argue, but in our ability to show the unity.

Get in Tune {John 17:24-26}

When I used to play the violin in the concert orchestra, I remember how before a performance started, the first chair violinist would play a single A string, and all the other instruments would tune themselves to that single pitch. The kind of unity Jesus prays for cannot be accomplished unless the believers are in one accord, attuned to the Father. This unity is supernatural and is fundamentally the same unity that exists between the Father and Son. Disunity happens when we are out of tune with the Father. As we grow to know the Father (v.26), our love for Him will grow. You and I have a responsibility to protect the unity of the church. That begins with preventing gossip or negativity of any kind, especially against the leadership. You can contribute to unity by praying for others, building each other up, serving in humility, giving your time and money, worshiping together, and refusing to get sidetracked arguing over divisive matters. ❞