Day 7 - Love That Unites

by Jacqui Smith

Dublin, Ireland

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.”

John 17:20-23 (NLT)

God’s unfailing love for us is so clearly shown in Jesus’ prayer in John 17. It is Jesus’ longest recorded prayer in the Bible. In His final days before the cross, Jesus prayed this incredibly heartfelt prayer. First for Himself (verses 1-5), then for His disciples (verses 6-19), and finally for those who would believe in Him even though they have not seen Him, but love Him (verses 20-26). It was a prayer focussed on one thing Jesus knew we would need desperately in our battle against Satan and his schemes; one thing that can show the world that we are truly His disciples (verse 21) – our unity.

Unfortunately unity goes against our very nature. We long for it at the deepest level – to belong and be accepted – but at the same time we reject it outwardly on a daily basis. Firstly, we have the desire to be our “true self”-- the authentic person only we can be. We have physical characteristics only we possess, as God has personally knitted each one of us together in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139). There is no one like you, even if you're an identical twin. You are special and unique!

Then secondly, there is the desire to be a part of something special outside of ourselves. A great example of this is the Olympic games. Every four years, the world competes in this prestigious event to show the world how good we are. “We’re simply the best; better than all the rest.” Or how about the famous lyrics by the band Queen, “No time for losers, cause we are the champions of the world.” If we need to belong, then it will be to the best and most amazing group on the planet.

This is who we are. We instinctively look to shine, to be the best. But this is not God’s plan for us. He longs for oneness, for unity, integration. He longs for love and humility for all mankind.

A Prayer for Unity

Jesus prayed: 

- I pray that they will all be one 

- just as you and I are one

- as you are in me 

- and I am in you 

- so they may be one 

- as we are one 

- I am in them 

- you are in me. 

- may they experience such perfect unity

Could He have said it any plainer or clearer or with more passion and conviction? This is Jesus’ desire for us. To be one.

Seventeen years ago, I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. But while she was still in the womb, I would tell her older sister, who was two at the time, that “This is your baby, I’m having her for you.” And over the last 17 years I have made it a deliberate goal to help them become best friends. I have said more times than I can remember, “This is your best friend.”

Don’t get me wrong, sibling rivalry is a real thing, they fight and get irritated with each other like all siblings do, but they always resolve their issues. In our house, disunity is just not an option. I’m sure this rings a bell with most of you. We want to live in harmony. The same is true for God in His spiritual family. It brings Him great joy as our heavenly father to see us united, as one. 

The word unity only appears a handful of times in the Bible. Specifically mentioned in Psalm 133:1, Ephesians 4:3 and Ephesians 4:13. The theme of unity, however, appears over and over again in expressions such as one, together, agreement and fellowship. The word ‘one’ alone appears almost two thousand times in the Bible.

A critical ingredient to unity in our relationships is humility. This is why Paul writes: 

“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” (Ephesians 4:2-3 NLT)

This is an incredible passage describing what is possible in God’s church. Our Father knows that unity comes if we strive to always be humble and gentle, patient and make room for each other’s faults (Psalms 103:14). 

Make Every Effort

Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, used the words ‘always’, ‘make every effort’ and ‘binding yourselves together’ to clearly describe God’s desire for His church. Always be humble, not only when you are around other humble people or people it is easier to be humble with. Always!

What do you think of when you hear the words ‘make every effort’? For me, well, I like things to come easily and naturally. Making every effort brings to mind suffering and straining to make something happen. Jesus showed us what making every effort looks like through His perfect example on the cross. We are called to make every effort to be united. Our heavenly Father, the God of unfailing love says ‘make every effort’ to be united. Don’t give Satan a foothold in your heart.

And finally ‘binding yourselves together with peace.’ Bind yourself, not tie yourself. Peace should be a permanent fixture. That is what God desires for His people. In a world overcome with so much disunity and conflict, God says bind yourselves with peace.

Again, when my girls were small and they fought, I would put them in the ‘get along’ t-shirt. One of their dad’s big shirts that they had to stay in until they resolved their issues. We now laugh about it, but back when we did it, it was a real struggle. Often getting to a place of peace is a real struggle, but it is achievable.

 Gabriella and Isabella in their ‘get along’ shirt

Peace in my family and especially between my girls has been a passion of mine. Love one another, spend time together, get along, get along, get along. If this is my heart as a broken, failing woman, imagine God’s heart, His unfailing heart of love for us. He longs for us to live in peace with one another. He knows we need each other and that the spiritual fight is real and that Satan wants to steal, kill and destroy.

Gabriella and Isabella today

Many times over my Christian journey I have felt like giving up on certain relationships. Being a strong character, I can rub some people the wrong way and vice versa. The temptation has been to give up and move on, invest in other relationships. But God in His wisdom has shown me so many times that bringing honour to Him in my relationships can pay off in an amazing way. So many women I was naturally in disharmony with in the beginning of our relationship, have turned out to be my best friends in the long run.

In Ireland we have the well known Celtic Knot. It is a symbol of unbreakable unity. Ancient Irish artists carved and wove these patterns with no beginning and no end. Each loop is connected, inseparable and continuous. It symbolizes eternity and the interconnectedness of life.

This is God’s desire for us. In His unfailing love He has given us His amazing church. It is not perfect in any way, and yet it is a piece of heaven where humility, patience, gentleness and love is possible to the glory of God the Father.

 A Celtic Knot 

Questions for reflection:

1. What comes to mind when you think of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit being one? 

2. Take some time over the next day and really meditate on Ephesians 4:2-3. What is God putting on your heart?

Today I will:

1. Today I will rest in the knowledge that I am special to God and that He in His wisdom has placed me in His spiritual family (Psalm 68:6). 

2. Today I will pray for my heart toward the spiritual family God has placed me in.

3. Today I will message someone I wouldn’t usually message. 

More scriptures on unity:  1 Corinthians 1:10, Philippians 2:1, Colossians 2:2

About the Author:

Jacqui Smith and her husband, Paul, lead the church in Ireland. They have two teenage daughters, Gabriella and Isabella.