THAT THEY ALL MAY BE ONE (2003)

As Christian families reunite globally to celebrate the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ let us consider afresh the divine purpose of His coming into the world.

Shortly before His crucifixion the Lord's last prayer epitomises very dramatically his mission on earth. As we read through it we cannot easily shut our ears to His impassioned cry for unity.

See how earnestly He pleads with the Father for perfect unity!

"And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are (one). Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one and that thou may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as thou hast loved me." (John 17:11,20-23)

The word ONE flows out of His mouth time and time again. Surely a cry for divine oneness!

There was a time when God and man enjoyed this perfect unity in the garden of Eden and the bliss of walking together in the cool of the day. Yet, paradise soon gave way to the hell of estrangement from Him. How craftily did Satan beguile Eve and how fatally did she and Adam fall prey to his cunning lies. Sin and guilt entered, separation and fear followed, cursing was pronounced, death ruled (Genesis 3:1-24).

A single verse of scripture portrays man's plight in the darkest of colours.

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6)

If it hadn't been for the Lord bearing our cross we would forever be lost, without God and without hope in the world. Unlike Adam, we find Jesus not in the idyllic garden of Eden but in the garden of agony praying …

"Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will but thine be done" (Luke 22:42).

In a supreme act of loving obedience our Lord Jesus drank the bitter cup of crucifixion and cried out from the depths of His soul . "It is finished". He paid the high price of our redemption to the very last drop. His precious blood streaming down from the cross made atonement for sin and reconciliation possible for all. Now there is a complete change of scene.

For we were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls (1 Peter 2:25).

Look at this lovely portrait of God's flock gathered again in His fold after the Holy Spirit was poured out on them on Pentecost.

" And all that believed were together, and had all things common… And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God and having favour with all the people." (Acts 2:44,46-47)

Isn't that a beautiful picture of togetherness, oneness of purpose and singleness of heart among God's people? Doesn't that qualify as a state of perfect harmony or as heaven on earth? Actually, only in such a place of brotherly togetherness and unity will God appoint the blessing to His people.

"Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!.. For there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life forevermore." (Psalms 133:1,3)

Only as we stand united will the Lord bless us!

There is tremendous power at our disposal in unity and agreement. As the Lord Jesus confirmed.

"Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew18:19)

How much power is given to just two who stand in agreement. Imagine the immensity of power that is ours if the entire church would come together as one! The enemy of our soul the devil is fully aware of this and has been craftily conspiring to divide the church for he knows that if he achieves this he will rob us of our blessing, disarm and overcome us. In fact, when Jesus himself was slandered as Beelzebub he answered by making this very point.

"Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation;and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand : and if Satan cast out Satan he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand." (Matthew 12:25-26)

So while the devil keeps his forces on a tight leash he himself orchestrates the continuous fragmentation of the church in order to rob her of her blessing and power. He managed to steal the blessing from Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. He is fighting with all his vengeance to snatch the blessing from the church today.

The embarrassing thing is that there is nothing original in his tactics. Just as he did in paradise he will divert our attention from the source of life, God, and turn it upon ourselves. He will speak to our desires and egos. He will crown man and endeavour to dethrone God. In the church today this is evident in how ministries and separate churches are getting more credit than Jesus Christ who was crucified for us.

What happened in the Corinthian church is still going on in our days. Men, even God's elect are receiving the worship that is due only to God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Notice what Paul had to say to the Corinthian believers who were idolising men rather than following the Lord Jesus.

Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptised in the name of Paul?

Being aware of the enemy's schemes Paul "determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified". Understanding man's tendency to worship men he wrote

"Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed even as the Lord gave to every man I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth but God that giveth the increase.Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry ye are God's building." (1Cor.2:12-13,2:2, 3:5-9)

The building is one and it is God's, not man's

No ministry is greater than God. No church is more important than its head. No individual member of the body of Christ is better than any other member of that same body. So why are we allowing this cutting up of the body of Christ to continue? Can't we see that we are turning against God and ourselves? Why are we permitting so much suspicion to brood within the ranks of the church from one group towards another, from one brother towards another? Is it because of our need to maintain our dogmas, rites and creeds? And while it is vital to guard against heresies should we not also guard against unloving segregation? After all, isn't love still the royal law and isn't it still the banner by which Christians should be known and recognised? Why also, are we harbouring feelings of resentment, animosity and bitter jealousy towards our brother or sister? Is his sin greater than God's love? Why if Jesus could find it in His heart to forgive His executers could we not find it in ours to forgive and absolve our brother of his sin? Do we have the luxury or the right not to forgive him for whom Jesus Christ died?

As the bible so strongly exhorts let us strive for unity for only through it are we blessed and powerful.

"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that ye all speak the same thing , and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement." (1Corinthians 1:10)

"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering forbearing one another in love. Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:1-6)

There is an eye-opening record in the book of 1 Kings 3:16-28 that I feel is a fitting conclusion to this urgent plea for unity. Although it is primarily quoted to illustrate Solomon's wisdom there is also a wealth of wisdom to be drawn for the benefit of the church today.
Here is the enigma: Two women give birth to one child each. One of the mothers kills her baby in her sleep by accident. Now there is only one baby alive whom both mothers claim as their own. Who is the true mother of the baby? And the test: Solomon orders his men to divide the baby. One mother consents with the slaying of the child while the other mother begs Solomon to spare the baby's life even if that meant that it would go to the other mother. Solomon instantly recognises the second mother as the true mother of the child and gives her the child. There is a beautiful parallel in this story related to our love for God and His church. If we are genuine Christians with the heart of a true father and mother we will sacrifice any rights, claims or privileges as long as the church of God remains undivided and intact. Just as the true mother we would rather have the church live on than divide it in pieces even if that meant it would go to somebody else.

Brothers and sisters, help build a powerful church. Allow it to live united. Let it grow strong and prevail over all the forces of darkness. Prepare and beautify her for her wedding with the one who died and rose for her. Meditate on this as you commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ and look forward to a blessed year in the Lord's house.