Tag Archives: prays

Be one

 

It is not an accident that Jesus prays for us to be one, because that oneness, that community, is God’s signature. It is not about being a great apologetic, or great at changing culture and it definitely is not about really cool worship services. Trinitarian fellowship is the foundation of the existence of that which is real. That is why there is so much cost related to our invitation. That is where we rest.

 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 17:23  ESV

It is a serious prayer, a solemn admonition and supplication that revealed just how important this union would be. He compared the union to the most perfect union of all – between the Father and Himself. That acceptance into this union would change the world. Our spiritual warfare on earth looks great, but in accepting the invitation to join the union between the Father and Jesus, all we need to do is rest in them – showing the world that the Father loves us as much as He loves His Son.

We have not rested in that invitation very well have we? I know I have seen our expression – the world has not declared that God had sent Jesus. In fact, most of what we do is show the world exactly who God is not. Love is rarely seen.

I do not beat myself up too much. I mean Pentecost is really the only time we see the Church revealing to the world that indeed God sent Jesus and that He loved the world and loved His Son. After that we mess up. We show a difference to one nationality of widows over another and we show that Gentiles needed to become Jews in order for them to be Christians. Messy stuff for sure.

If I am going to be praying a new prayer today – it will be – Lord Jesus, fill me with You, may the Holy Spirit allow me to accept the invitation to be with You and the Father. It is the only way the world will see You in me. It is the only way they will believe the Father has sent Jesus and that He loves the world so much because He gave them Jesus. The gift was a painful one for the Father and Jesus were separated for the very first time. May I know that the Father loves me as much as He loves Jesus for in doing so, I am one with them.

 

 

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How much does love cost?

 

Greatest Of These — Hillsong UNITED

 

How much did it cost God or what was the price He paid in order to invite us into fellowship with Him? When Jesus left heaven and came to earth, He disadvantaged Himself – that is love. In Jesus we see God’s love. He disadvantaged Himself so that I could enter into the fellowship of a triune God.

 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”. – John 13:34-35  ESV

I ran across a children’s lesson on love, fellowship and how that fits into a disciple’s life. It is simple and straight to the point.

 

D- Devoted to Christ: A disciple doesn’t walk away from their brothers and sisters. They love no matter what.

I- Involved: A disciple of Christ cares about other disciples. He or she gets involved in the good things that are happening around them.

S-Spirit: The Holy Spirit lives in all disciples. He keeps us full of peace!

C-Christ-centred:  No matter what, Jesus is the centre of everything a disciple does.

I-Invites others to meet Jesus. A true disciple of Jesus invites others to meet Jesus.

P-Prays for other disciples. That’s love, through and through!

L-Loves at all times. Even when it is hard to do so, a disciple loves other disciples at all times. Love covers sins!

E-Encourages other disciples. If I follow Jesus, I must be an encourager!

 

When I take the verse above in context, it would seem that Jesus was telling His disciples something important about His leaving them. For up until that point, everyone knew they were disciples because they were with Jesus, following Him. Since Jesus was leaving there had to be a new identification marker. It came out as a new commandment – love each other.

There is the first and greatest commandment to love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. Then there is the second commandment to love my neighbour as myself. Why do I need another commandment?

It seems so simple and obvious, why is it so compelling and extraordinarily challenging? I think it is the twist that Jesus added – “just as I have loved you.” 

God is love. The Father offered His only Son, a Son He loved beyond words to see Him broken, rejected and killed. Jesus pain would be His pain. Jesus, God in the flesh, is the embodiment of love. The Spirit would be poured out on the earth in mostly silent and invisible ways. He would offer to lead and guide, never exalting Himself, and always pointing to the Son. Mostly, those outpourings would be ignored or denied. He finds Himself quenched and grieved. Yet He willing pays the price so that anyone might enter into their fellowship.

What a price to pay to say to me – I love you!

 

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