Unity

Unity

“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.” John 17:20-21

Unity with our fellow believers is the basis for an effective witness. This is what Jesus prayed for all believers down through history, as it says in the passage above from John 17. Jesus prayed this earnestly for His followers because He knows unity does not come to us naturally. By nature, we are self-centered, which leads more naturally to divisiveness, disagreement, and discord than to unity.

But unity is what we’re called to as believers. It is a call to serve rather than to be served. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45). To have unity we must follow the example of Jesus.

The key to unity among believers is unity with God. If we make it our goal to be one with God through the power of the Holy Spirit, we’ll begin to desire unity with our Christian brothers and sisters. If we love God, we’ll be motivated to love one another as well. As Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John13:35). Love leads to a desire for unity.

Yet because we are flawed human beings, unity takes ongoing effort. As Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus: “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Yes, unity takes effort, but the results of unity are well worth the effort.

Are you seeking unity with God? With other Christians?