I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
If people in our congregations are ever going to get along, the leaders of those churches must remind God's people of the importance of unity. Jesus' dying prayer was that we would be one (
John 17:1-26). Why? If the world knows we are Christians because of our love for one another (
John 13:34-35), then the world needs to see our loving unity so that the lost can know that the Father has sent Jesus to save them (
John 17:20-21,
23). Unity is not only important, but it is also essential; not just as a theory or a test of theology, but as the daily life practice among the people who claim Jesus as
Lord. We are called to be
"perfectly united in mind and thought."
Lord Jesus, I believe you have presented all of my prayers to our Father. I thank you for the grace of Jesus, who lives to make intercession for me.* I promise to do all I can to bring glory to our Father, to live at peace with my brothers and sisters in Christ, and to serve in unity with those who belong to you. Please bless our church family with more passion for the unity that you desire as we focus more on leading those who do not know Jesus into a saving relationship with him. In Jesus' name, and through the blessed Holy Spirit, I pray. Amen.
*
Hebrews 7:25.
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