Today’s Reading: John 17:22-26; Psalm 133

“I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!” – John 17:22-24

MAY THEY EXPERIENCE PERFECT UNITY.

Jesus prayed that we would experience perfect unity. My first question is whether that is even possible and, if it is, what does perfect unity look like? I think the answer is in the beginning of that passage. The only way for us to experience perfect unity is for Christ to be in each one of us, just as God is in him. When we are living out that kind of unity with our Savior, the result is unity with each other. When we remain in Him and He in us, the result is God working through us in such a way that we experience unity with others who are allowing the Spirit of God to live in them.

And why did Jesus pray for us to experience perfect unity? It was not just for the relational benefit of believers. Jesus’ desire is that the world will know that he was sent from the Father. And here’s the best part — that the world will know that God loves each one of us as much as He loves Jesus Christ, His Son. Soak in that truth for a moment. Allow the idea that God loves you that much to wash over you. Absorb the truth that you are deeply loved by the One who created you and knows everything about you.

“O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.” – John 17:25-26

We live out a compassionate love for others because of the presence of the love of God stirring within us. We are changed from the inside out, and it shows in the way we respond to the needs of others. Unity can be achieved by anyone, but perfect harmony requires the love of God flowing from a heart that is fully surrendered to Him.

MAY THEY LIVE TOGETHER IN HARMONY.

How wonderful and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in harmony!
For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil
that was poured over Aaron’s head,
that ran down his beard
and onto the border of his robe.
Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon
that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing,
even life everlasting. – Psalm 133

Harmony is wonderful.
Harmony is pleasant.
Harmony is precious.
Harmony is refreshing.

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. – Ephesians 4:11-13

Church, we need to do better at this whole unity thing. We need to let go of our personal agendas, forgive those who have trespassed against us, and stop resenting our brothers and sisters in Christ. If we are going to do the work of God and build up the church, we need to first allow the love of God to saturate us so that the Spirit can produce love through us. The only way for us to measure up to the standard of Christ is for Christ himself to be living within us. Rather than standing against each other, let’s stand together in perfect unity — so that the world may know that God’s love for them is extravagant.