Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Priesthood of all Believers - Voluntary Evangelist's Day
John 17:20-23
 
Teena Mathew
St. John’s MTC, NY
21 that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
 
"We are one in the spirit", we sing aloud. Do we know what we're singing? Are we really "one"? In John 17:21 Jesus prays “...that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you." The countless number of  times we have come across this passage should have reminded us how much we are not fulfilling our mission as Christians.

Many critics of Christianity say that there are more than  40,000 denominations within Christianity. So how then can one learn to follow the Christian faith when its own believers are so segregated? So the question is, a person who is very quick to defend his/her faith and his/her beliefs, are they being really false?   The constant questions on our differences is overwhelming and it takes the focus off of our mission, which is to be His witnesses to the world.

In this divided world, more so than ever it seems, building unity just as He asked is the only way to survive. However when we say Christian unity, it's not uniformity or unanimity on every doctrine or decree. And it's also not just finding the unity within denominations. Christian unity is a necessity because it's a major factor in our witness to the world, just as Jesus prayed John 17:21 "that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me." Our unity is expressed by believer' common love, common purpose and common mission.

So rather than focusing on the division that we ourselves have created, let us focus on our commonality. Let us focus on how we are one and the same. We are one in Jesus, who was sent for us and for our salvation that is our common ground. In this world of turmoil, the world needs to witness unity and the power it can bring. "…Then the world will know you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."


Believers, one and all, unite.

PRAYER

Father God, help us to put away our differences and come together to worship You in spirit and truth. Help us to be holy as You are holy. Amen

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9

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