church unity

July 4, 2010

Jesus leaves behind no other visible witnesses except us, His disciples.

Jesus leaves behind no visible body, except the Body of Christ, His church.

Jesus leaves behind no other agenda for the church except that we are to testify that He is indeed from God.

Before His leaving, Jesus’ prayer for His disciples and us is as follows:

“.... The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind— just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, so they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me. ...” (John 17:20-23. The Message)

Unity - that is the Lord’s revealed will for His church.

Is it attainable? Clearly yes - since the Lord desires and prayed for it.

Is it easy? Clearly No. With so many denominations, inward fighting, the church’s resume is clearly lacking.

How do we do it? We do so by focusing on the common ground and collaborating in humility. It means this -
"In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity (love).” (attributed to Saint Augustine of Hippo)

In a world that is torn and divided, a church united in love is like a healing balm that displays the power of God and gives credibility to our message.