This was Christ’s PRAYER TO THE FATHER, “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those WHO WILL BELIEVE IN ME THROUGH THEIR MESSAGE (that’s us), 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 in me—so that they may be brought TO COMPLETE UNITY (teleioō: to accomplish completely, to finish, bring to an end). Then THE WORLD WILL KNOW that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:20-23)
Jesus is asking the Father to make us one. DID THAT PRAYER GET ANSWERED? Christianity can be divided into six main classifications: the Church of the East, Oriental Orthodoxy, Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, and Restorationism. Protestantism includes many groups which do not share any ecclesiastical governance and have widely diverging beliefs and practices. So the answer is NO because man is not willing to humble himself and submit to God who knows EXACTLY WHAT HE WANTS TO DO. Jesus prayer was “that they MAY BE ONE as WE ARE ONE…”
During Jesus’ ministry AMY, He prayed that his future followers would exhibit a SPECIAL KIND OF UNITY that would be a testimony to the world. So what happened? Rather than unity, harmony, and cooperation, Christians are often known for their squabbles and divisions. Even when they appear to get along, they divide up into HUNDREDS OF DIFFERENT GROUPS, CHURCHES, AND DENOMINATIONS. For those who are not Christians, it seems confusing and it means they sometimes respond to relational conflict POORLY. This has often led to debates and divisions, which in turn leads to the creation of new denominations. It’s an unfortunate situation, but a reality given human nature. Maybe this is why Jesus focused so much on UNCONDITIONAL LOVE AND FORGIVENESS as an expression of the kind of people he wants us to be. That is why He said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, that you also love one another.” (John 13:34)
SO LET’S HUMBLE OURSELVES TO GOD AND PRAY THAT WE CAN BE ONE AS JESUS AND THE FATHER ARE ONE!!!
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham