Unity in our Day

UNITY IN OUR DAY

BLOG HOST, 12-1-2010

HOST:  JAY MARTIN

JOHN 17

            I recently heard a political commentator talking about the fact that divisiveness and debate is part of our heritage as Americans—it is in our national DNA.  He pointed out that throughout American history, there have been two and sometimes three sides to many very important national debates.  To the suggestion that Americans want political leaders who compromise and work together, the commentator’s answer was simple—we want to be right, not get along!

            If we are not careful, this divisiveness can creep in to the church, also. Actually it already has.  As a matter of fact, like American history, the history of the church has been one of division and debate.  We can see it in the multiple denominations in our nation and world today. 

            While things weren’t that different in Jesus’ day, Jesus had a simple idea—complete unity!  As He approached the weekend of torture and crucifixion, Jesus took time to pray for unity!  Verse 23: “I in them and you in me.  May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

                This teaching goes beyond the mandates to forgive, even leave the altar to make it right with others—this is calling for the same kind of unity that God the Father and God the Son have with the Holy Spirit, as they make up the Trinity.  This is pretty heavy stuff.  As a matter of fact, I believe it is one of the core concepts Jesus taught—unity! 

            It involves conflict resolution—focusing on the essentials instead of traditions and opinions—but it goes much deeper than that.  What does complete unity look like?  For Jesus, it looked like the Cross of Calvary—for God it looked like sending His precious Son, and for the Holy Spirit, it looked like coming to earth when Jesus ascended in to heaven.  This was a difficult assignment, and yet the Trinity, because of their love for us, performed salvation’s plan.

            Are we willing to sacrifice to achieve unity of purpose?  Are we willing to forego our individual desires and identity for the cause of Christ?  Are we willing to give ourselves to each other so that the world will have an accurate picture of Jesus?  Or will we live self-centered, selfish lives, wrapped up in ourselves, and die someday having aided Jesus’ prayer not being answered?  This is hard for me, and yet I dare to believe that right here today, in a world that values debate and being right even over relationship, that we can have unity in our day.  I know that is Jesus’ will for you and me!