*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*ARE YOU A FRIEND OF JESUS? (2)*
*Scripture Treasure.*
John 17:21 *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.*
*Insight and Highlight.*
There is a difference between to become one and *...that they also may be one....'*
*Scripture Commentaries.*
Jesus did not pray for His followers to "become one" but rather that *....they also may all be one..."*
There are institutes and bodies of professionals we join by virtue of our academic and / or social status and/or achievements.
For example, there are constituted social and elite classes and clubs. So also are professional institutes for lawyers, architects, teachers, professors, accountants, theater actors, etc. Every of these bodies has standards of practice, and you are recognized and approved by society because you are a member of academic excellence and abiding by their laid down professional ethics.
We become one with other members of any of these institutes, association or social classes, by joining their membership.
We can make friends with such people so that we can be like them. Such associations have made people influential, rich, and famous by receiving favorable dispositions from other privileged members.
As much as the society demands of these associations, they do not represent the unity that Jesus had in mind in John 17:21.
As important as these institutes are to us as governing standards of practice and conducts for their members, they are not enough to fulfill Jesus's prayer of oneness.
Jesus' prayer of oneness is a spiritual unity of heart, holiness, purpose, and will for those devoted to Christ and His word.
Our institutes, clubs professionals bodies etc are cosmetic 'unity meetings' developed to foster like minded people together not because they are united in character, how much more in Christ, but because they are of one mind professionally and as a result they became one by virtue of the professions.
These associations, institutes, and their attempt to regularize and establish by membership and meetings to foster unity always or somehow result in the betrayal of the very unity for which they were created.
They are only one professionally but not really in mind. They are one professionally but not in character and mind of Christ.
Jesus's prayer that they may be one as He and His Father are, is an ongoing action of 'continual commitment be one' irrespective of social class or profession with the sole aim of a common relationship to the Father and Son.
Unlike when you become a member of these institutes when you join them, you are already a member of Jesus' family even before you join or actualize a fellowship.
Jesus' family of those He prayed for that they may be one is a leveler.
It is to the rich, the poor, the professional, the unprofessional, as long as they have the same mind of Christ.
They are not united to become one they are united because they are one.
They do not join to become one they join because they are already one.
Are you one with Jesus?
Are you His friend?
*Remorse corner.*
Jesus's prayer is that we 'may be one' as He and His Father are.
In other words, we are not to become one. We are already one as He and His Father are!
*Call to Word action.*
John 10:30 *I and my Father are one.*
1 John 1:7 *But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.*
*The Christian clarion duty.*
You are in fellowship with Christ because you are one with Him.
You are no longer fellowshipping with Him to become one with others and Him. You are already one with Him and His other followers.
*Prayer.*
Lord, let me be one, with You, in Jesus name.
Good morning all, and have a blessed day in Jesus name.
God bless you.