“Unity in Christ is not something to be achieved: it is
something to be recognized.”
~A.W. Tozer
This morning I read John 17:20-23 where Jesus prayed for his
disciples. He prayed not only for His disciples, but for those who would follow
them in the future. He prayed for US. I love that! He prayed for our unity.
Those of us who are lucky enough to experience a Church family with the love,
fellowship, and support they provide, recognize this unity Christ prayed for.
In looking at the Disciples, and thinking about their characteristics, we see
different levels of education, various professions, and varying temperaments.
Acts 4:32 tells us that after being
filled with the Holy Spirit, they were “one in heart and mind.” So, what pulled
them together? They didn’t have a common background. They had Him. His very
real presence. This unity that we find unachievable due to our sinful nature,
can only be recognized by our absolute dependence on HIM.
Unity with fellow Christians is imperative. We must
fellowship with other believers. The NIV Study Bible notes on John 17:14 tells us that “the world hates
Christians because Christians’ values differ from the world’s. Because Christ’s
followers don’t cooperate with the world by joining in their sin, they are
living accusations against the world’s immorality. The world follows Satan’s agenda,
and Satan the avowed enemy of Jesus and his people.” This really struck a chord
with me when I read it. I know that the world hates Christians, that is not a
new thought to me, but that we are living accusations
against the world’s immorality…. is one of those statements that when
you hear it you kind of slap yourself upside the head, and say, “of course”!
I’m so grateful for the fellowship, support, and love that Sisters offers. This amazing group of women has had such an impact on my life. I can just picture the smile on Jesus' face as he looks down and feels the love and unity this group provides to one another.
