The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—
John 17:20-21 THE MESSAGE
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.
We’re looking at portions of Jesus’ prayer as recorded in John 17. This is the prayer that Jesus prayed on His way to Gethsemane that fateful night when He was betrayed by Judas.
Unity was on His mind
Unity was very important to Jesus. In fact, the whole theme of John’s writings in chapters 13-17 is love, unity and abiding in the Spirit. Love and unity are very closely intertwined. The apostle Paul teaches that love helps us achieve unity.
Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
Colossians 3:14 NASB 1995
The NLT puts it like this: love … binds us all together in perfect harmony. So, if you’re having trouble getting in unity, maybe love is lacking. It might be you are needing to ask God to love though you.
Unity brings power
Jesus’ final instructions to the disciples before the Ascension was to remain together until the disciples received power from on high.
It took ten days, but once they got into unity, it happened!
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:1-4 NKJV
Once they were in one accord, or unity, the power came. The world has never been the same. Peter preached a sermon wherein 3000 souls believed on Jesus, and the church was born.
Unity is a sign
My point is this: Jesus said in John 17 that the world would believe the Father sent Jesus if believers showed them unity. Acts 2 proved His words true.
We live in a world where many feel the church is irrelevant. If we were to get in unity, perhaps culture would change their viewpoint about the Lord.
As someone desiring to become an effective warrior, can I see changes in myself? In the way I view my relationship with my church family? Am I willing to love that saint who gets on my nerves? Would I willing to spend time loving so I can get into harmony?
Unity not only takes love, it takes time
It took the 120 in the upper room ten days to get into unity. Are we willing to spend more than 15 minutes at the altar to become one in accord with our church families?
Something to think about!
This is the 20th day of my Transformation: Becoming an Effective Prayer Warrior series. The goal is to write 28 posts discussing spiritual armor, the prayer of agreement and other prayer strategies.
I don’t pretend to know all the answers. I’m going to be thinking with my fingers, so to speak, as I process what is in my heart about these topics after reading the word and praying for discernment.
You can go here to see each post I will be making on this topic.
Today’s question for your consideration: How can we bring glory to the One we adore?
Amen. We need unity in the church–and repentance. I am so encouraged by the students seeking the Lord at Asbury College. I pray that revival will extend to churches across our world. Last night I listened to a woman in South Africa pray for revival in her country (via the World Prayer Network).
Very interesting points! I had never noticed all the ways unity was preached.
I think that as much as Jesus desired for us to be unified, the Holy Spirit will work in us to make that happen if we’re willing to spend the time and a little effort to come together and ask. Good word again today!