On the night that our Lord Jesus was betrayed, He prayed to His Father that His followers would be perfected in unity, so that the world would see visible evidence that that He was God’s Chosen One, the Jew’s Messiah, and Savior of the world.
Earlier that evening, from the upper room, Jesus said to His disciples, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this will all people know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).
As you consider Jesus’ call for His followers to walk together in unity and love, don’t miss the two caveats that truly are one. “May they be one Father, as you and I are one, so that the world may know that you sent Me.” “Love one another: just as I have loved you, by this will all people know that you are my disciples.”
When by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, Christians endeavor to walk in unity and love, to whom is the Christian witness going to be the greatest? It’s too the world outside of church. That the world may know! That all people will know!
If Jesus’ claim is true, need one wonder why the devil works overtime to keep Christians from walking together in unity and love?
To follow these admonitions, it is necessary for believer’s to deny themselves, taking up their crosses daily, and follow Jesus. Or as the apostle Paul said to the Philippians, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).
The great need in the church during this restrictive season of Covid19 ‘mandates, along with the social and political unrest that presently grips our land, is a commitment to walk together in unity and love. Unity and love that will be on display both in in Christ’s church and the world outside of our door. This can and will happen, when, each of us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, truly considers others as more important than ourselves.
Remember the words of Jesus. “I have not come to be served but to serve and give My life a ransom for many.” To which the apostle Paul added, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.”