In The Word
Read: John 17:20-26
20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
Their Future Glory
22 The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
25 “O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; 26 and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
All those that would believe the words of the disciples, rather by oral or written, would be pulled into to the benefits of this priestly prayer. The words of God revealed through the disciples were designed to unite all who would believe. This unity guided the world through its power, birthed by love, filled with favor and blessings, to know that Yahshua (meaning God saves) came from the heavenly Father.
The message given to us from the disciples is meant to bring unity, not division. As we take an honest look at the church today, we see more things that divide us than unite us. The very book given to us to bring the church into perfect unity has been used to bring perfect division. Therefore, the world is having a hard time believing that Christ came from the heavenly Father. Much of the church seems to look like the world, unprotected and lacking in joy. The glory of God is not being manifested in much of the church today. I believe it is because of disunity in the body.
The answer is not coming together as one denomination, but coming together as one body in Christ. We will always have different tribes, but we have only one holy nation and royal priesthood. Whatever happened to the old saying “All for one and one for all?” It seems there will always be various understandings of scripture that many people differ on. Those who really belong to God should look for the things that unite and not divide. We must allow God’s Word and Spirit to unite us so that the world may know God saves.