Jesus prayed for our unity
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
John 17:20-23 ESV
It's been a while since I last posted here. Thank you for sticking around if you are reading this! I plan to post more frequently, although the posts will be brief.
In John 17, Jesus (our High Priest) prayed for his current and future disciples to be as united as Jesus and the Father. Jesus and the Father are distinct persons of the Trinity but also one. Therefore, we should strive (in the power of the Spirit) to be the answer to Jesus' prayer: a diverse but miraculously united body of believers. But with so much theological diversity, how does the Church achieve this unity? In John 17, Jesus does not call for agreement of core beliefs. Although Christians should study Christian doctrine and eventually decide on their theological inclinations, an agreed doctrine is not a pre-requisite to Church unity on par with that of the Father and Son.
D.A. Carson further helps us understand this unity:
“Although the unity envisaged in this chapter is not institutional, this purpose clause at the end of v. 21 shows beyond possibility of doubt that the unity is meant to be observable. It is not achieved by hunting enthusiastically for the lowest common theological denominator, but by common adherence to the apostolic gospel, by love that is joyfully self-sacrificing, by undaunted commitment to the shared goals of the mission with which Jesus’ followers have been charged, by self-conscious dependence on God himself for life and fruitfulness. It is a unity necessarily present, at least in nuce, amongst genuine believers; it is a unity that must be brought to perfection (v. 23).”
— The Gospel according to John (The Pillar New Testament Commentary (PNTC)) by D. A. Carson
Practically, this means that theological disagreements should not disrupt the unity of the disciples of Jesus. Moreover, this unity is characterized by a life of love for others that attests to the Father's love for the world (loved as Jesus is loved!). This unity of Christian character must always surpass theological differences and be tangible.
Fifty years ago Billy Graham, supported by John Stott, led a group of diverse Christians on a united effort across denominational lines on the Great Commission. This first assembly1, known as the First Lausanne Congress (in Lausanne, Switzerland), produced the Lausanne Covenant. This document laid the groundwork for Christians to work together on evangelization. A few weeks ago, the fourth congress gathered in Incheon, South Korea. The Lausanne legacy should inspire us to serve each other with generous love above all theological disagreement and extend that love to the world.
May we (disciples of any denomination) be compelled to prioritize unity above our theological differences. May God's glory make us perfectly one. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.