Monday, December 24, 2012

Foundations: The Gospel of John - Day 25


Read:  John 17:20-26

The final segment of Christ’s prayer is for the unity of all the future generations of Christians who would come to faith through the testimony of the disciples (v. 20-23).  The same unity that is between the Father and the Son is what Christ desires for all believers.  Why?  The purpose of this unity is so that the world may know that God had sent Jesus and that He loves believers, as God loves Him (v. 23).  Jesus ultimate desire was that believers would be with Him in eternity and see His glory (v. 24).  The last two verses sum up Jesus prayer and His ministry.  The world did not know the Father but Jesus made Him known.  He came to make the Father known – His goal was the salvation of the world (v. 25-26). 

JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1.       Think about the unity in the global church today.  Are you involved in petty disagreements with other believers and churches?  Do you put other churches down?  Do you talk negatively about other believers?  These are all sinful attitudes and actions.  Spend some time in personal confession of any of these sins that you have been involved in. 
2.       Pray that you would be filled with God’s love for the church and believers. 
3.       Pray that the church would grow in unity, not fake worldly unity but a true unity that is based on alignment with Christ and His plans and will.