John 17:13-23 - A Question of Unity

[OneLight]

I am interested in knowing how many people you have found that agree with you 100%? I would also be interested to here what denomination you feel is the correct one and why? If you feel no denomination is correct, then what do you believe is the only real truth to follow?

Yes, the last question is a tough one, but I am sure by your statement that you have given this great thought.

I haven't found anyone that agrees with me 100%. I don't think any two Chistians 100% agree on the faith. I believe no denomination is correct because God didn't author any of them. I believe the only truth to follow is Christ and what He asked of us to do. I believe denominations are irrelevent in this cause. I actually believe they are a hinderance to the unity Christ prayed for of His followers in John 17:20-21.

I am relieved to hear that you don't believe that we have to agree on everything. If you read chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation, you will see that the churches of that time were different also. We will not be perfect in our understanding until we are with Him, then we will no longer see through a glass darkly, or in a mirror dimly. Though I agree that Christ had one way in mind, He also knew that we would be lost without Him, so He sent us the Holy Spirit. Because of our pride, arrogance and self-righteousness, which we all have to some point, we see scripture different and hear Him differently. We are imperfect beings being held up to a perfect life to see how we measure up. There will be nobody who measures up. That is why we need faith.

The day will come when we will all believe as we should. Be patient.

[UncleAbee]

I am interested in knowing how many people you have found that agree with you 100%? I would also be interested to here what denomination you feel is the correct one and why? If you feel no denomination is correct, then what do you believe is the only real truth to follow?

Yes, the last question is a tough one, but I am sure by your statement that you have given this great thought.

I haven't found anyone that agrees with me 100%. I don't think any two Chistians 100% agree on the faith. I believe no denomination is correct because God didn't author any of them. I believe the only truth to follow is Christ and what He asked of us to do. I believe denominations are irrelevent in this cause. I actually believe they are a hinderance to the unity Christ prayed for of His followers in John 17:20-21.

I am relieved to hear that you don't believe that we have to agree on everything. If you read chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation, you will see that the churches of that time were different also. We will not be perfect in our understanding until we are with Him, then we will no longer see through a glass darkly, or in a mirror dimly. Though I agree that Christ had one way in mind, He also knew that we would be lost without Him, so He sent us the Holy Spirit. Because of our pride, arrogance and self-righteousness, which we all have to some point, we see scripture different and hear Him differently. We are imperfect beings being held up to a perfect life to see how we measure up. There will be nobody who measures up. That is why we need faith.

The day will come when we will all believe as we should. Be patient.

I agree the churches were different but they were all united under one name, that is Christ. I understand that we won't have perfect understanding yet but I do understand that denominationalism is not a biblical concept. The bible preaches unity. Denominationalism preaches seperatism.

[Thankful 1]

In this passage Jesus is praying for his current disciples and the ones to come. Jesus makes two statements in His prayer I would like for us to key on. In vs 21 He says - "that they may all be one; even 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 sent Me." In vs 23 He says "I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me."

What do these words mean to those seeking Jesus today? Are these statements being fulfilled in today's church?

When a person seeks, they do not yet have an understanding. Do you think they understand 1 Cor 13:11-12? "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known." We are all in a process of growing in Him, being unified in the end. As for the church, take mans doctrine out of it and you would see more unity. This is why Christ works with an individual and not a denomination. WE are the church, individuals into a collective where our guidance should first and foremost come from the Holy Spirit Who does not divide. Yes, denominations have divided, even though there are many here who will disagree with that statement. Yet still, it is not the responsibility of the church to unify anyone, it is His Spirit in us that creates unification. It is our responsibility to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

(Matthew 10:34-36)