KEY SCRIPTURE: John 17:23 KJV” I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me”.

The Lord expresses another effect or impact of the unity of the church on the world. He says the unity of the church will make the world know that the Father sent Him, and secondly, that the Father loves us, just as He has loved the Son. What would bring the world to such knowledge? The degree of the manifestation of His power through the church would bring the world into knowing that, the Father loves the Christians just as He loves the Son. This means the present lack of unity among Christians is indeed bringing a very big loss to the Church. The church is missing out on the glory of our Lord Jesus, and so missing out in manifesting the power of God as the Lord intended. The church is the body of Christ, and should have just continued with what the Lord started.

We have seen pockets of manifestation of the power of God in a few men and women of God. The desire of the Lord is that the body of Christ should reveal this amazing power of God. A picture of it would be any Christian at any time should be able to operate in that mighty power of Christ. It also means when Christians gather at whatever locality, they should manifest that power and miracle grace of God. This is what would bring the world to its knees and proclaim that God loves the church just as He loved the Son.

What does this information mean to us? It means we must work very hard to live in harmony with all brethren. Christians must have a kingdom mindset, rather than a local church mindset. This also means ministers of the gospel who see the church of God as one, and also work towards having that oneness would surely experience that glory of Christ in their life and in their respective congregations. I pray the leadership of churches shall tone down on things or practices that divide the church, and seek to do things that unite the church instead. How wonderful would it be if all orthodox churches, including Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Anglican, all Pentecostal and the Charismatic churches should gather at one of the stadia to hold a crusade or an all-night prayer meeting. Can you imagine the impact on the unbelieving world as a whole? One may ask how would the offering be shared? The offering could be given to a hospital or support a deprived community.

THOUGHT: THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH IS POSSIBLE, LET’S WORK TOWARDS IT.

FURTHER STUDIES

John 17:21 KJV “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”

John 17:11 KJV” And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.”