Unity

Good Morning,

John 17:22-23 (NIV)
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in 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.

In the most agonizing moments of His life, as He awaits Judas to be given over to the authorities to suffer and die, Jesus offers prayer to the Father. Not a prayer for Himself. He offers a prayer for His disciples, for you, for me, and for all humanity. So, what does He want from God in His prayer? He wants unity in His Church. He wants love in His Church.

So, what have we done even after hearing His prayer to the Father? Even now that we are so much more educated and informed about Scripture? What have we done? Well, what we haven't done is to become more united, in direct opposition to what Jesus wants for us.

Does that make you uncomfortable? It certainly does me. I mean, I will admit that even though I have this passion for unity in the Church among all Christians, I still have my prejudices and dislike for some of the ways of those who are different from me. I don't mean racial differences or national differences or anything like that, what I mean is differences in ways of worship or the ways that some gather for their services. I guess that means I'm as human as everyone else and, probably, just as guilty in not doing more to try to unite believers.

Then the question arises, "What can I do? What can one person, not even a pastor or any kind of leader in a congregation, what can I do?" The answer is simple. I can put aside those minute details that mean so little and simply accept other Christians just the way they are and without any "put downs" about how they worship or congregate. I can love all my brothers and sisters in Christ, no matter where they might meet on a Sunday, Saturday, Wednesday, or any other day. I can do more to understand those differences I might have with some and focus more fully on those things we have in common. Yes, there are, truly, things I can do in order to unify the Church much more than it is today.

So can you. No matter what congregation you belong to or go to for worship services, don't ever take the attitude that your "way" is the ONLY way that is right for worship and dogma. It isn't. Whether extremely "conservative" Baptist or ultra "liberal" Pentecostal...or anything in between or beyond...we all have something in common: Jesus Christ, the fact that He came to be born, live, and die in order that we ALL might be saved. THIS is what is important and THIS is what we ought to be focusing all our energy upon.

Hey, it's OK for people to raise their hands in worship! It's fine to sit and listen to Hymns with a piano the only instrument! Beautifully dressed choirs are good! One person with a guitar singing contemporary worship is more than acceptable. A preacher with a 20 minute message is all right, as is a minister who needs an hour or more. Praying with hands clasped or hands in pockets...it makes no difference. Speaking in tongues or not...a very minor detail in the grand scheme of things (some do, some don't, so what!?).

If you and I, just the two of us, will put aside the differences and simply not speak badly about other denominations or congregations who are different from us, if we will do that and be much more accepting of any disparities that we see, then we, you and I, can be two people who will stand out a bit in the fact that WE are different...different in a good way.

It can start with just a few. People will notice. It would be a very good thing.

Please read all of John 17 and hear Jesus prayer for us.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David