April 26 - United We Speak
April 26
United We Speak
Bible Reading: John 17:12-23
12While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. 14I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. 20“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN?
Liberal or Conservative?
Pro-life or Pro-choice?
Israeli or Palestinian?
Muslim, Croat, or Serb?
Rich or poor?
Coke or Pepsi?
Chevy or Ford?
There are thousands of categories or choices that divide people. Some are incredibly important. Some are more polarizing than others. Some are just plain silly. (Just don't tell a Chevy truck owner that I said so.)
Many people are just plain sick and tired of all the division and disagreement and disunity that exists in the world. "Why can't we all just get along?" they cry. There ought to be some place where people aren't divided. There ought to be some way for people of different backgrounds, classes, customs, and temperaments to come together and get along.
There is. It's called the church.
God's will for the church is that it be the one place--the one body, actually--where people aren't divided along lines of race, nationality, gender, class, or denominational lines. He wants you and me and all Christians everywhere to be one with each other, just as the Father is one with the Son, and the Son is one with the Spirit, and the Spirit is one with the Father. Although the three members of the Godhead are different in some ways, they are one in nature, in purpose, in purity, in holiness.
Jesus, the Son, expressed His desire for unity among His followers. He said to God, the Father: "My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father--that just as You are in Me and I am in You, so they will be in Us, and the world will believe You sent Me" (John 17:21).
The more you and I reflect God's standard of unity, the more people will believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Our unity with each other--particularly because it's so rare in this sinful world--can be a testimony to the power of God.
REFLECT: Why do you think unity among Christians will make non-Christians more likely to believe the gospel? When was the last time you spent time with a Christian of another race, culture, or denomination? How can you do so more often?
ACT: Watch this week for the number "1" (on signs, advertisements, etc.), and use its appearance to remind you of the importance and benefit of unity.
PRAY: "Thank you, God, that you are one with Your Son, Jesus, and that Jesus is one with Your Holy Spirit."