Jesus’ Prayer for belivers
John 16 20-23
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
WoW! I think this passage is huge. I think God expresses His desire for us to be unified with Him, also I think He is saying that christians need to come to a point of “complete unity” to maximize our effectiveness in delivering His message.
There are so many denominations and clicks in every church. The devil really liked the whole divide and conquor idea. he split us up in to such small numbers trying to make us ineffective.
We need to look at what Christ said and no matter what our petty ideas about trvial religious mumbo jumbo are;
One fact remains. Christ died on a cross for all of us. I think He clearly says we need to be completely unified as belivers before we can ever accomplish what He has in store for us.
Have you on board at your local church? Are you unified with what God is doing there? Are you donating your time and resources?
Because don’t fool yourself. Being in “complete unity” in my opinion is not just agreeing with your pastor and fellow beliver.
“Oh yeah, Mike. I agree brother. Sure Sure reaching that people group is a great idea. Oh yeah i’m on board baby. Let me know how that goes”
Thats great lip service. Being completely unifie.
“You think that people group needs attention Mike? What can I do. I support Gods vision He has given you. Lets spread His word”
Next time you see a fellow beliver in need and don’t help when it is in your ability. Your not in “complete unity” with God.
He would have stopped to help.
Just a thought.
Well put Josh. Definitely true.
Good stuff!!!
Unity is interesting….most dont realize it is an action word. Without action there is no unity with Christ and with other believers.
Unity is also buying into what God has put on the hearts of the church leaders. If you cant buy into that – thats fine, there are other churches. It takes all kinds of churches to reach all kinds of people. Find a church you can buy into, and give it all you have. That’s unity!
Reminds me of what Jesus said in Mt 15:18 These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Unity with Christ and other believers takes time, energy, resouces….just about everything but lip service
Amen Mike