SCRIPTURE
“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. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one; I in them and you and me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17:20-23
SPOTLIGHT
It was Dr. Martin Luther King who said, “While the world is becoming a closer neighborhood, there is less brotherhood.”
In the above passage of Scripture, which is often referred to as the High Priestly Prayer, Jesus Christ requests from God the Father, that believers would be united by the same love that unites the Father and Himself. Christ prayed that believers would experience the power of oneness.
Pray for oneness, not sameness. Oneness and sameness are very different. People pray that Christians become one, but what they often mean is that Christians become the same as they are. Sameness means something lacks variety and often monotony. Jesus Christ was not praying for sameness. He did not want all Christians to resemble each other in appearance, or personality.
God created people. People are to be distinguished because they are unique creations. God does not want identical Christians in His church who talk, walk, eat and dress the same. God’s creation is to be filled with variety.
PRAY FOR ONENESS, NOT SAMENESS. Jesus Christ prays that Christians would be united, unified, and working together to establish Godly beliefs, values and goals.
There is a tremendous strength when two or three people are pulling the same way rather than just one person. Christ identified that this unity would lead to a powerful witness. Unbelievers would be drawn to a group of people who were equal regardless of their past lives or present position in society. Can you imagine what a group of people could do who are united in heart, will, and mind because of Jesus Christ? All would be one because of Christ. Therefore, all for one and one for all. Such concern and caring would exist. What a sense of mission would be experienced. All would be united in purpose for reaching unbelievers.
Oneness with Jesus Christ has many implications. No gaps or divisions between race, gender or generations will exist. If disunity appears to be developing, all people involved will stop, pray and say, “Just as You, God the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit are one, so we pray that You make us one.”
Dr. Martin Luther King said, “I have a dream. My four little children will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream.” This is what should be evident in any local church.
Pray and dream that your church would be a People’s Church uniting all races, color, cultures, and classes, along with all social and educational backgrounds through Jesus Christ. A People’s Church is not an educated or uneducated church, not a rich or poor church, but a church that is built on Jesus Christ’s love an example. What a powerful witness to a city!
SOMETHING TO DO
Jesus Christ prayed for believers to be one. So must you and I. Dream of your church becoming a multicultural church that transcends prominence, position, wealth and social status. Dream of your church bringing together all people’s, from all walks of life, because all kneel at the foot of the cross. All are equal before God.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and Holy Spirit, You are one and I come into Your presence asking that You would make our church a picture of oneness, but not sameness. Personally, help me to create that oneness by loving and treating all people the way You do. May Your love flow through me to others. AMEN.