Unity Calls!

"And the glory which Thou hast given Me I have given to them; that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, that the world may know that Thou didst send Me, and didst love Me (John 17:22-23).

Isn't that a wonderful scripture that Jesus left for us? He wants us, as the Body of Christ, to be one just like He and the Father are one. What does that mean? It means that He wants us to be of the same mind in Him just as He showed us that He was of the same mind in God. Philippians 2:5 says, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus...). What mind (or form of thinking, attitude) is He talking about? The Apostle Paul gives us the answer right above that scripture in Philippians 2:1-4, "Therefore, if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."

That scripture explains to us how we are to be perfected in unity (as stated above in John 17). Being "perfected" in that passage means to complete, finish, fulfill, accomplish a goal or purpose. So, we need to be unified together and of the same mind in Christ to help each other accomplish, fulfill our purpose! None of us are lone rangers. To say that you don't need anybody is an incorrect and misguided statement. Jesus is clear that in order for us to fulfill our purposes, we need people; we need each other to be of the same mind in Christ.

It takes work and intentionality to deny ourselves for the sake of others. It's easy to do for those closest to us, but what about the rest of the Body? What role do we play in helping someone else achieve their best and highest self to be used by God in whatever capacity He has for them to be used? We have to ask God to lead us and connect us with the people in each season of life that He wants us connected to. He always has a reason for connection with others that we may not see and it may not always be the people we feel that we have so much in common with. Those who are so different from ourselves and that may rub us the wrong way, we need them too. It may be that God is working something in or out of us to help us have the grace for the next season of our lives. We have to be sure to ask Him about the role that people play in our lives because we never know it all, but He does.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord, give us the grace to love each other like you desire for us to. Help us to walk in the love that Jesus showed us how to walk in, even toward those who we feel oppose us. We all need each other and you use us together in the Body to mature us and to help us achieve the end goal of our ultimate purpose for being in the Earth. We humble ourselves, Lord. Help us to walk in love and unify your Body for your glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.