Perfectly One

My eyes have been opened these past few years to the diversity that is in the body of Christ. I know this is nothing new not to mention it is a can of worms. But lately I have greatly struggled when I’ve seen diversity lead to division. This division in Christ’s body is leaving me hurt, angry and confused.

Last week while doing my quiet time, I came across one of the most precious prayers Christ had with his Heavenly Father. Prior to being crucified, Jesus was stating in this prayer his position, purpose and desire for his disciples and for future believers.

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me…” John 17:20-23

…that they may become perfectly one.

I cannot speak to all the diversity I see. I cannot even speak to all the division. I can only speak to Christ’s desire for his body to be perfectly one for the sake of the gospel as seen here in John. And I can only be accountable for my position before God in how I carry out my words, my attitudes, and my actions when it comes to His body.

Our true purpose this side of heaven is to represent Christ, He in us, His love for us, and His love through us in order to spread the gospel. What pure beauty…