"That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."
- John 17:21
 
The 17th chapter of John reports the high-priestly prayer of Christ. When His heart was breaking with love, the Son of God poured out His soul to His Father in this prayer. As the Great High Priest He prayed not only for His disciples of that day, but also for all those who through their word would later be brought to faith on Him. v. 20. In that prayer He included us and all believers.
 
What does He pray for all these believers? "That they all may be one." Does He mean that all believers should be united in one outward, visible organization, as so many believe and teach? The next words in Christ's prayer make clear His meaning: "As Thou, father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they may be one in Us." God is a spirit. The union between the Father and the Son is a . . .

"That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."
- John 17:21
 
The 17th chapter of John reports the high-priestly prayer of Christ. When His heart was breaking with love, the Son of God poured out His soul to His Father in this prayer. As the Great High Priest He prayed not only for His disciples of that day, but also for all those who through their word would later be brought to faith on Him. v. 20. In that prayer He included us and all believers.
 
What does He pray for all these believers? "That they all may be one." Does He mean that all believers should be united in one outward, visible organization, as so many believe and teach? The next words in Christ's prayer make clear His meaning: "As Thou, father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they may be one in Us." God is a spirit. The union between the Father and the Son is a spiritual union, not visible to the eye of man. So the one-ness of the believers for which Christ prays is a spiritual union or communion produced by faith in Him. All who truly believe on Jesus Christ as their Savior are one in Him. They form that mystical body of which Christ is Head and every believer a member. This is the Holy Christian Church, or the communion of saints. Christian friends, we know we have unity with other believer when the love we have for them on the inside is not diminished by our differences on the outside.
 
      Blest be the tie that binds
      Our hearts in Christian love
      The fellowships of kindred minds
      Is like to that above.
 
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY- Unity among believers come from union with Christ.