Do you want the world to know that God loves them? Do you know how to make it apparent to them? Will you work to fulfill Jesus’ desire for all of us? Are you willing to stand in unity in Jesus Christ?
Sometimes we make it very difficult to be loved by others. Sometimes we don’t want to love others because of something they have done or said. Yet, Jesus calls us to love one another.
But merely saying we love one another isn’t enough. It takes action. What action? It requires the unity of the body of Christ. In the last few verses of John 17, beginning in verse 20, Jesus is praying for us. His desire is that we have complete unity.
What is complete unity? It is standing shoulder-to-shoulder against the evil of this world. It means we set aside petty differences with one another. It means working together as one to teach others about Jesus and His life-giving grace and mercy.
As we stand together in unity, showing love for one another, we show the world the love of God. When we fight, bicker, argue, and put our disagreements in the public eye for all to see, we become like the world rather than Jesus.
Make no mistake about it. We can’t simply put on a show. We must allow God to change our hearts and minds. We need an attitude adjustment. The tiniest of cracks in our armor allows Satan’s arrows to sneak through.
I pray we all want to show God’s love to others. I pray we are determined to be unified in Jesus Christ. I pray each one of us gives up our petty sniping at one another in favor of unity in Jesus so we can put the love of God on full display. Be unified. Set aside petty differences. Stand together. Show God’s love.
John 17:23b “Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
Marty Pressey 