John 17:21-26
Suggested further reading: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17
We can ask no stronger proof of the value of unity among
Christians and the sinfulness of division than the great prominence which
our Master assigns to the subject in this passage. How painfully true
it is that in every age divisions have been the scandal of religion
and the weakness of the church of Christ! How often Christians
have wasted their strength in contending against their brethren,
instead of contending against sin and the devil! How repeatedly they
have given occasion to the world to say, `When you have settled
your own internal differences we will believe!' All this, we need
not doubt, the Lord Jesus foresaw with prophetic eye. It was
the foresight of it which made him pray so earnestly that
believers might be `one'.
Let the recollection of this part of Christ's prayer abide in
our minds and exercise a constant influence on our behaviour as
Christians. Let no man think lightly, as some men seem to do, of
schism, or count it a small thing to multiply sects, parties and
denominations. These very things, we may depend, only help the devil and
damage the cause of Christ. `If it be possible, as much as lieth in us, let
us live peaceably with all men' (Rom. 12:18). Let us bear much,
concede much and put up with much, before we plunge into
secessions and separations. They are movements in which there is often
much false fire. Let rabid zealots who delight in sect-making and
party-forming rail at us and denounce us if they please. We need
not mind them. So long as we have Christ and a good conscience,
let us patiently hold on our way, follow the things that make for
peace and strive to promote unity. It was not for nothing that our
Lord prayed so fervently that his people might be `one'.
For meditation: Let us make every effort to be in harmony
with our fellow believers. Are we not members of one spiritual family?
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