Day 25: Purposed In Unity

Have you seen any miracles lately? I'm talking about a genuine miracle which can only be explained by divine agency disrupting what occurs naturally in this fallen world. Lots of miracles (signs and wonders) are recorded in the Bible. God orchestrates miracles to provide credibility for His messengers (Heb 2:4, John 5:36, John 10:25)…but really, credibility for His message. Sticks turned to snakes, holding back the rain, calling fire from the sky, healing the sick, and raising the dead all inspire observers to stop and listen. These miracles pale in comparison to the miracle that Christ prayed for in the upper room (John 17). He prayed for unity in the Church. Unity is a truly un-natural thing in this fallen world.

Unity in the Church is not just a big deal…it's The deal. If we are one, the world will take note…if we are “completely one” they will know! It is impossible to overstate the importance of unity in the Church. We'll unpack the significance later. For now, here's a teaser to consider. The resurrection is important evidence that eternal life can be found in Christ (John 2:18-22). Unity in the Church goes further as evidence that the rest of the gospel message is truth.

The “rest of the gospel?” Yes, there is more to the good news than eternal life for the believer. The Church is already set apart (sanctified) by Christ's sacrifice (Eph 5:26-27). We are “they” whom Christ prayed for in the upper room…to be completely one. Keep in mind that we have already been purchased by His blood (Acts 20:28, Gal 3:13, 1 Pet 1:18, 1 Cor 6:20) and the Church is intended to be one with Christ and one with the Father…If unity in the Church was secured in the purchase, then Christ would not have prayed for it. Unity in the Church is something we need to pursue. We need to work on it diligently, faithfully, and tirelessly. Unity is our opportunity to be part of the “rest of the gospel.” It is the evidence, “exhibit A,” in the heavenly trial which God entrusted just to us…and the jury is on the edge of their seats waiting for us to perform (Eph 3:10-11).

Let's revisit the Roman army cohort analogy…marching in step, shoulder to shoulder, and operating as one. Security and effectiveness of the soldiers was enhanced by unity in the cohort. Has this been your experience in the Church? Unity among believers cannot happen apart from love. Can you think of other prerequisite attitudes or heart conditions?

1 Cor 13:4: Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. 6 It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (NET)

It's easy to imagine how a church full of such “loving” people would be united in purpose…completely one with each other, Christ, and the Father.

What obstacles are you allowing to stand between you and the Church?

John 17:20 “I am not praying only on [the behalf of those sitting with me], but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their testimony, 21 that they will all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. I pray that they will be in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me. 22 The glory you gave to 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 completely one, so that the world will know that you sent me, and you have loved them just as you have loved me. (NET)

Interdependent