UNITY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST (John 17:20-26)
If I were to pinpoint one single tragedy that has hindered the testimony of the church in the world, it would be the division, conflict, discord, dissension, and disunity among Christians. It is no wonder the world has no clear understanding of our validity of Christianity when some of the biggest battles that happen are between Christians or between churches.
Jesus' high priestly prayer is found in John 17. In this prayer, Jesus prays for Himself (vv. 1-5), for His disciples (vv. 6-19), and for His future believers (vv. 20-26, the Church).
What is Jesus' primary prayer for us? It's for our unity. Think about that. Of all the things Jesus could have prayed for us, He started with (and repeated!) our unity. Three times in John 17:20-23, Jesus prays that His church would be one. How are we doing with that?
So, what kind of unity is Jesus talking about? It is not uniformity where we all look the same, nor is it unanimity where we all think the same. It is not ecumenical unity where we all agree on the lowest common denominator. It is an internal and spiritual pattern of unity that is both practical and experiential. It is a unity of love and holiness, a unity of obedience to God and His Word, and a united commitment to His mission and His will. It's the kind of unity that results from all believers being in God the same way Jesus was in God while He was on His mission into the world. “That they may all be one, even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us” (John 17:21).
Christians have the most unifying influence in all of human history: the Holy Spirit. What unites us with all other Christians is far greater than what divides us. We share the same Father (Hebrews 2:1); the same glory (John 17:22); the same love (John 17:23-24); and the same future (John 17:23).
Why is this unity so important? Jesus prays that this unity will serve as a witness to the world, so that they may believe that God sent Him: "that the world may believe that You sent me" (John 17:21). Also, it is a demonstration to the world that God sent Jesus and that He loves them. “I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity so that the world may know that You sent me, and loved them, even as You have love Me” (John 17:23).
Unity among the body of Christ is important to Jesus. This helps others come to Christ when they see all believers together and acting as one. If unity is so important, then why are there so many churches and why can't they get along?
What motivation do we have to accomplish this unity?
Christ assures us that we will be one through His intercession (John 17:20-22; Hebrews 7:25).
Christ enables us to be one through His indwelling (John 17:23-24).
Christ motivates us to be one through His love (John 17:25-26).
God, we pray for a unity around Jesus and His gospel, around obedience to the Bible, and around love for one another. God, please make us unified like that, so that the world would know that you love them and that Jesus has been sent by God to be the Savior of the world!
What happens when we fail to demonstrate this unity? How can we maintain this unity? Join us next week to discover the answers!
