Being One as They Are One

My grandfather passed away when I was just 7 years old yet I can still recall the last time I spent with him and the words of wisdom he spoke into my young heart

There is something even more powerful to those words one states when it is known on both sides these are the last things I wish to say…

As we turn to John 17:20-26 we see Jesus stating his last words of teaching to the disciples before the cross. He shares His heart with them as He prays to His Father.

Not only are these important words for the disciples to hear… it is important enough for the Son of God to lift them up in a prayer to God!!!

READ PASSAGE

In this prayer we see Christ ask for several things (FOR YOU AND ME!):

A Unity with Him

A Unity with each-other

The reasoning for Unity

Unity with Him

In and of ourselves UNITY is not something we naturally seek. We are selfish by nature. Unity demands we give of our self for another. You and I must be unified with Him.

Jesus prays that we would know this oneness… “I in them, You in Me”

Upon Salvation we are sealed with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit… God takes up His abode, His residence in us! Ephesians 1:13-14

As Paul shares with the Galatians 5:14-16; 22-23 this Spirit within us, and how we are to walk in unity with Him, he also shares the FRUIT (singular) or the product of life we will demonstrate as we walk in closeness in Unity.

Did you notice in verse 15, how Paul addresses a concern with their interactions with each-other? I long to be close to Him, He is good, perfect, Holy, I desire to be close to Him… BUT

Unity With Each-Other

We are the BODY (singular) of Christ… This is beautifully illustrated in 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 and it is no coincidence, but rather very intentional that right after this is chapter 13 discussing the very well known passage on LOVE!

Paul would writer to the Ephesians 4:1-6 a warning to remain HUMBLE, gentle and patient

Ephesians 4:1–6a NASB95

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

Proverbs 6:16-19 is a verse my mother would share faithfully with us as kids. Me being the oldest, I think it was quoted to me the most...

Proverbs 6:16–19 NIV

There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

I learned it as “one who sows discord among brothers” (I had two, and three sisters)

With six of us growing up there were different personalities, gifting, and opinions and ideas...

When pride got in the way (MY WAY OR NOTHING)

When feelings were hurt (I WAS RIGHT)

When forgiveness was withheld (LETTING GO OF HURT)

These things brought about discord, conflict (among brothers and sisters, and in the community of believers.)

UNITY took humility, patient, and love… forgiveness.

I love the scene with Peter and Jesus… Matthew 18:21-22 you can almost see Peter’s reactions here as you read…

Matthew 18:21–22 NASB95

Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (Eleventh Edition) Forgive

a: to give up resentment of or claim to requital for

b: to grant relief from payment of

2: to cease to feel resentment against (an offender): PARDON

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 40.8 ἀφίημι; ἄφεσις, εως; ἀπολύω

to remove the guilt resulting from wrongdoing—‘to pardon, to forgive, forgiveness.

It is extremely important to note that the focus in the meanings of ἀφίημιf, ἄφεσιςa, and ἀπολύωe is upon the guilt of the wrongdoer and not upon the wrongdoing itself. The event of wrongdoing is not undone, but the guilt resulting from such an event is pardoned. To forgive, therefore, means essentially to remove the guilt resulting from wrongdoing.

I always thought that meant the other person hurts you that many times, apologizes, and you forgive.

It could be one offense, apologized for or not

That offense can hurt multiple ways, multiple times, and we are called to forgive their guilt… give it to God.

Didn’t God do the same for you… to an even greater extent!!??

Jesus prayed… God may they be one as we are one, unity with Him and each other. BUT did you catch why…?

The Reason for Unity

… So that the world may KNOW

I guarantee that those in our world today will take notice of a community of believers who are unified!

This is not a temporal reason… it bears eternal outcomes

God calls for this, His Son prayed for this so that we would have a testimony people want to hear...

We may share the gospel with our lips… however if our actions show a church that is not unified people may respond

“Your actions are speaking so loudly I can’t hear a word you are saying… “

Our actions should be salt upon their hearts drawing them to the living water of Jesus Christ… our actions, our unity should leave others craving Jesus Christ.

John 13:34-35 sums it up well… the secret and the reason for unity...

John 13:34–35 NIV

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Jesus that last night before the cross, prayed it for His disciples, He prayed it for you and me, and I would like to close asking Him to instill within us through His Spirit the desire and drive for unity!

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