God Is Glorified through Our Unity
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” (John 17:20-23)
I hope that you have seen God’s glorious love magnified throughout this study. We finish with the purpose for which we were created and redeemed — to enjoy an intimate, loving relationship with God and one another. We were not rescued from sin to operate as independent persons. We were adopted into a family and are being made ready as a bride for Her groom. We, as a church, are called to live as a body and as a building with each member and part working in love and harmony. When one member suffers, all suffer. When one member rejoices, all should rejoice.
We can enjoy a taste of the glories of heaven here on earth when we live together in harmony as Christ intended. This means that we help support the weak, we look for ways to encourage and build up rather than destroy. We sacrifice our time and resources out of love for our brothers and sisters in Christ. We believe the best about our neighbor rather than slander or back-bite. We encourage our brothers and sisters toward righteousness and don’t overlook sin because we are uncomfortable dealing with it. We forgive and restore just as Christ has forgiven us.
Study it Out
- Read Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12-13 and write down the specific commands given to God’s children in relation to how we interact and respond to one another.
- Thinking back to some of the passages given in the previous studies, how does humility, suffering, and knowing God through His Word help us to live in unity as God desires?