DEVOTIONALS
Submitted by Sis. Jana Pryor
THAT THEY MAY BE ONE
John 17:21 - The unity that Jesus prayed for us was not an organizational unity, but rather a
spiritual unity based on: 1. abiding in Christ, 2.love for Christ, 3. separation from the world, 4.
sanctification in the truth, 5. receiving and believing the truth of the Word, 6. obedience to the Word,
7. the desire to bring salvation to the lost. When any one of these factors is missing, the true unity
that Jesus prayed for cannot exist.
(1) Jesus does not pray for His followers to "become" one, but rather that they "may be one." This
is a present subjunctive and means "continually to be one." A oneness based on their common
relationship to the Father and the Son being one through "Jesus Christ," and have the same basic
attitude towards the world, the Word, righteous standards and the lost. (1 John 1:7)
(2) An attempt to create an artificial unity by meetings, seminars, conferences, or complex
organization can result in a betrayal of the very unity of which Jesus prayed. What Jesus had in
mind is much more than cosmetic "unity meetings." It is a spiritual unity of the heart, purpose,
mind and will in those who are fully devoted to Christ, the Word and holiness. (see Ephesians
4:1-5)
Like wise, the "glory" of the believer is the path of humble service and bearing his cross. Humility,
self-denial, service and the willingness to suffer for Christ will insure the true unity of believers and
will lead to true glory.
We must keep the unity of the Spirit; it cannot be created by any human being. It already exists for
those who believe the truth and receive Christ. We are now to preserve that unity, not through
human efforts or organizations, but by walking "worthy" of the vocations wherewith we are called.
Spiritual unity is maintained by being loyal to the truth and by walking after the Spirit - Galatians
6:22-26. It cannot be obtained by the flesh. (Galatians 3:3)
Paul teaches that the "unity of the Spirit" and "the unit of the faith" are maintained and perfected by:
1. accepting only the faith and message of the New Testament, apostles, prophets, evangelist,
pastors and teachers
2. growing in Grace
3. advance toward spiritual maturity
4. being filled with all the fullness of Christ
5. being no longer children who accept "every wind of doctrine"
6. have a knowledge of truth and reject false teaching
7. holding and speaking the revealed truth in Love
8. walking in righteousness and true Holiness
John 17:21 - The unity that Jesus prayed for us was not an organizational unity, but rather a
spiritual unity based on: 1. abiding in Christ, 2.love for Christ, 3. separation from the world, 4.
sanctification in the truth, 5. receiving and believing the truth of the Word, 6. obedience to the Word,
7. the desire to bring salvation to the lost. When any one of these factors is missing, the true unity
that Jesus prayed for cannot exist.
(1) Jesus does not pray for His followers to "become" one, but rather that they "may be one." This
is a present subjunctive and means "continually to be one." A oneness based on their common
relationship to the Father and the Son being one through "Jesus Christ," and have the same basic
attitude towards the world, the Word, righteous standards and the lost. (1 John 1:7)
(2) An attempt to create an artificial unity by meetings, seminars, conferences, or complex
organization can result in a betrayal of the very unity of which Jesus prayed. What Jesus had in
mind is much more than cosmetic "unity meetings." It is a spiritual unity of the heart, purpose,
mind and will in those who are fully devoted to Christ, the Word and holiness. (see Ephesians
4:1-5)
Like wise, the "glory" of the believer is the path of humble service and bearing his cross. Humility,
self-denial, service and the willingness to suffer for Christ will insure the true unity of believers and
will lead to true glory.
We must keep the unity of the Spirit; it cannot be created by any human being. It already exists for
those who believe the truth and receive Christ. We are now to preserve that unity, not through
human efforts or organizations, but by walking "worthy" of the vocations wherewith we are called.
Spiritual unity is maintained by being loyal to the truth and by walking after the Spirit - Galatians
6:22-26. It cannot be obtained by the flesh. (Galatians 3:3)
Paul teaches that the "unity of the Spirit" and "the unit of the faith" are maintained and perfected by:
1. accepting only the faith and message of the New Testament, apostles, prophets, evangelist,
pastors and teachers
2. growing in Grace
3. advance toward spiritual maturity
4. being filled with all the fullness of Christ
5. being no longer children who accept "every wind of doctrine"
6. have a knowledge of truth and reject false teaching
7. holding and speaking the revealed truth in Love
8. walking in righteousness and true Holiness
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PRAYER REQUEST LIST
-Bro. Roger Fairman
-Sis. Jeanie Pryor & family
-(more to come)
-Bro. Roger Fairman
-Sis. Jeanie Pryor & family
-(more to come)