JOHN SHIRK – From John 17:20 and 21-

Jesus prayed for those who would believe in Jesus through the message of His followers, “May all of them be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

A church united by God’s grace and truth is an expression of love that captures the attention of a watching world. That’s right.  God uses the unity of the church as a witnessing tool to the world. This kind of unity is based on the church being unified with God through faith in Jesus Christ. As the steeple of a church narrows near the top, so the members of God’s church grow closer to each other as we draw closer to Him. And this sends the message to the community that the love of Jesus is real and is the basis for lasting, meaningful fellowship. This does NOT mean forming a holy huddle that blocks out contact with people outside the community of faith. However, it does mean taking time to encourage other Christians, and support their walk with Christ.  As the early church lived in unity in Acts, chapter 2, the Lord was adding to their number daily those who were being saved.

A church unified by God’s truth and love is a vital sign of changed lives in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com