UNITY IN LOVE

We, the body of Christ, are called to love one another in spite of our imperfections.

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” —John 17:20-23 (NKJV)

REFLECT ON THE WORD

Have you heard the expression, “I like Jesus, but not the church”? This sentiment grieves the heart of Jesus because Jesus loves His church. He loves the broken, faulty, work-in-progress church. He allowed himself to be humiliated, beaten and murdered for it. He patiently loves His bride. In the same manner, He desires us to walk in unity, loving one another as He has loved us—even in the midst of this broken, faulty, work-in-progress world. Together, we can be grateful that God uses even our imperfections to reveal Himself to a world in need of His perfect love.

PRAYER + CONTEMPLATION

1. Jesus wants His disciples to live in such a way that the work of God is evident in them. How can you do this practically, every day?

2. Pray for an outpouring of God’s unconditional love upon the church, so that we may be made complete and full as one.

3. Ask God to help you develop relationships with people from other cultures as well as to create opportunity for cross-cultural fellowship.