SCRIPTURE: John 17:6-12
“So that they may be one as we are one.” (John 17:11)
Divide and conquer, this is Satan’s strategy for defeating God.
He succeeded in turning Adam and Eve on God, on each other, and Cain on Abel.
It is our separation from God that makes our world is warn-torn mess it is.
Jesus lived in loving harmony with God.
No one and nothing, could separate Him from His commitment to God.
This is what Jesus is praying against for His disciples.
Consider how many splits and factions and wars there have been… just in the church.
Protestants, Catholics, multiple Baptist and Reformed denominations.
Using God’s Name to separate themselves from others who did not agree with them.
We are saved by grace, not by our correct beliefs or doctrines.
Grace ought to humble us, reminding us that we haven’t got it all together.
What unites us to God – and to each other – is the love of God as expressed through Jesus.
We can disagree, we can look at things differently.
But don’t let the enemy turn us against each other.
What unites us (God, Jesus, love, grace) is always greater than what divides us!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, we Christians have divided ourselves into many factions, but there is only One Name that unites us. Hold us together by the power of Your Name!
Observation/Application
All who are in Christ Jesus are the Father’s. All who obey His Word belong to Him. Believe and obey. Christ prays for those who are His. And His own are protected. They are one – as Jesus and God are One. The Trinity – the Oneness of God, Jesus and Spirit. That Oneness must also be for His people. There is no other name that can unite or save than Jesus.
Help us daily to be Your instruments of peace in the power of Your Love.
Love, Love, Love, Love
The Gospel in a word is love
Love your neighbor as yourself
Love, Love, Love.