But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26
Is it possible?
Confession time: I often wonder if unity in the Church is possible. But then I remember, Jesus prayed for it; “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. John 17:20, 21.
So what holds us (especially American believers) back from experiencing the unity Jesus longed for us; desired for us; prayed that we'd have. What is keeping His prayer from being answered? Doesn't Jesus get whatever He prays for? Well actually, no. Remember in the garden. But that's another thought for another time. I believed this prayer will be answered. So again, what is keeping His prayer from being answered?
Probably many things. Considering the passage from Matthew 19, a young man comes to Jesus. He wants to be one of Jesus' followers. But his wealth gets in the way. Could it be, here in America, that our wealth gets in the way of being a follower of Jesus? Could it be that the illusion of material stuff, the illusion of not really needing anything, impedes us from following Jesus into unity? A false security of not needing one another. Could this be why congregations stay so independent? Maybe, maybe this adds to the problem of disunity.
Actually, is disunity a problem or is it sin?
Paul Billheimer in his book, Love Covers, may very well be right when he says: “The continuous and widespread fragmentation of the Church has been the scandal of the ages. It has been Satan’s master strategy. The sin of disunity probably has caused more souls to be lost than all other sins combined.”
The question comes down to this, what will it take? What will it take for the Body of Christ to experience the unity Jesus prayed for? What will it take for congregations to humble themselves? What will take for us to humble ourselves?
Prayer: Lord, when we look at unity, it seems impossible. Lord, increase our faith, with You, all things are possible. Holy Spirit, we pray for a spirit of repentance for Your people. Convict us of our disobedience. Change our heart. Jesus, we need to be like You. Help us Lord. May we see the answer to Your prayer. May we truly be one in You Lord. May the world be drawn to You because You are drawn them as they see You in us. May we be the answer to Your prayer.