I have given them the glory You have given Me. May they be one as We are one. I am in them and You are in Me. May they be made completely one, so the world may know You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me. John 17:22-23 HCSB
After 40 years in ministry I have observed a variety of churches. Some seem to have divisions and conflict. As a result, they are not reaching as many people for Christ and are often declining in members and having difficulty meeting their budgets. In other churches there seems to be a sense of unity where people are working together even in the midst of differing opinions. All of the members seem to be working together to reach people and bring glory to God.
Jesus points out the importance of unity among believers. He is praying that all believers would be unified just as Jesus and the Father are one. When believers are unified they are examples to the world of Christ’s love and mercy. It is through unity that the world can know that God loves them and that He sent Jesus to provide a way for everyone to be forgiven and to be restored to a right relationship with Him.
Challenge: Are you unified with other believers or are you creating division and conflict? God wants all believers to be unified as He and the Father are unified. A difference of opinion is possible even with unity in God’s work. Try to overlook differences and focus on working together to bring honor and glory to God.