Know Love Like This: 21 Days of Discovering God's Heart for YouSample

That the World May Know

By S. George Thomas

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” –John 17:20–23 (NLT)

Once upon a time, there was a large family with many many sisters and brothers. These siblings loved each other so much. Sure, they didn’t always see eye-to-eye on everything—they each had their own unique perspective. But one thing they did agree on was their shared love and respect for their father and their mutual love for each other. Everywhere they went, they couldn’t help but tell whomever they met about how amazing and loving their father was and how incredible it was to be part of his family! They actively sought to find anyone who didn’t belong to a family (because all of them had been orphans once themselves) and invite them to accept their father’s offer to join their wonderful family. Far and wide, this family was famous for their love and unity with each other. It was their defining hallmark.

Now in a nearby city, there was another large family with many many sisters and brothers as well. These siblings (who had once been orphans too) also told others about their father who wanted every orphan willing to join his family. The difference between the two families is although these siblings said they loved each other, their actions didn’t really line up with their words. Some siblings would passionately declare their love and concern for orphans, while at the same time be critical and combative toward those already in the family. Others didn’t even bother to share the good news about their father with other orphans and instead chose to onlyassociate with select siblings who shared their specific opinions and beliefs. They said they loved all their siblings, but then they’d snipe and bicker with them over who really knew how their father wanted them to live and behave. Far and wide, this family was infamous for their conflicts and infighting. It was their defining hallmark.

Now let me ask you this . . . which of these two families would you want to be part of?

The reality is every single one of us was once an orphan spiritually. But when you and I made the choice to receive the gift of salvation and surrender our lives completely to Jesus’ lordship, He immediately grafted us into a glorious, beautiful, and ever-growing family—God’s family. And because you’re now part of this family, that means Jesus’ heartfelt prayer for oneness in John 17 includes you—“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message” (John 17:20, NLT, emphasis added). That’s you! That’s me!

I have two incredible older sisters. Because we share the same mother and same father, that makes us siblings—we belong to the same family. As much as there may have been occasions when they didn’t love that fact—especially when I was being a pesky little brother—there is nothing they could do to change that. They had no choice in the matter.

Nor do we.

God doesn’t ask our opinion on whom He accepts into His family. We don’t get a say in it—as much as we’d probably like to weigh in. So the question is, will you resist it or embrace it?

Long before Abraham Lincoln famously said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand,” Jesus said, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand” (Matthew 12:25). I like how the New Living Translation puts it: “A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart” (Matthew 12:25 NLT). When we squabble with or take potshots at our fellow brothers and sisters, it grieves God’s heart. He doesn’t want His children at odds with each other; He wants His children to get along and love each other. Because when we do, nothing can divide us! Pastor Robert Morris says this: “Do you realize our unity is the one thing Satan fears the most? He fears the Church saying, ‘It’s okay if you have some different beliefs than I do. We’re still going to choose to walk in unity.’”

In the midst of personality, theological, cultural, or political differences, our love for each other and commitment to remain unified is absolutely crucial. It’s why, in His final hours before going to the cross, Jesus was thinking about and praying for us to be unified! He knew how you demonstrate your love and unity with other believers is more compelling than even your love and concern for the lost. Our unity—our oneness—is our single greatest asset in convincing an unbelieving world to believe and trust in Jesus.

Now God is not looking for us to be uniform: where we look alike, act alike, walk alike, talk alike. Nor does He expect us to be unanimous and agree on everything. But His Father’s heart does desire for all of His children to be united: one body, one heart, one spirit, one purpose. As one as Jesus is with His Father! That’s some serious oneness!

Again, I just love how Pastor Robert Morris explains it: “The number one thing the New Testament Church had that we need today is unity. They loved one another. Prayed for one another. Shared with one another. Encouraged one another. Helped one another. Ministered to one another. That’s what we need more than anything. The reason the power of God was so manifest in the early Church is because they were one!”

God is counting on us to show such unconditional love for one another within the body of Christ the world can’t help but take notice—so “the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me” (John 17:23). That is the irrefutable evidence proving beyond the shadow of a doubt that God so loves the world. And that is our winsome witness that will draw others into the family of God.

Will you be the answer to Jesus’ prayer?

Prayer

Father, I confess sometimes I allow my differences with my spiritual brother or sister to influence my unity with them. And there are times I’ve been critical and unloving. Please help me to remember that this person is also Your child and that my love for them is a winsome witness to the world. Show me how to love like You have loved me. May I be an example of what it looks like to walk in unity with all my spiritual brothers and sisters. I desire to be an answer to the prayer You prayed in John 17. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

For Further Reflection

Ask the Holy Spirit, “Is there any fellow believer whom I’ve been critical of or whom I’ve been unloving toward?” If He shows you someone, ask for forgiveness, and then ask Him to show you how to reconcile with that person and walk in unity and love with them.

Holy Spirit, what are you saying to me?