One Heart and One Soul

John 17:20-26

     I recently read a report that claims 78.4% of the people living in the United States profess Christianity as their religious affiliation. Within this 78.4% we find a multitude of denominations, and diverse views on most religious, social and political topics. In fact, we are hard pressed to find a subject that all Christians agree on.

     Jesus prayed that, "they all may be one, as You, Father are in Me, and I in you; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." Jesus is praying His follower's will have unity of the same type He and His Father experienced. A oneness in Him. So that the world will believe that Jesus came from God.

     So, how do we become one in Him in the midst of this battleground we Christians find ourselves on?

     How did the early Christians, from diverse backgrounds socially and economically, find unity? Acts  4:31-32a tells us that, "...when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness. Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul...".

     In order for the body of Christ, Christians, to have unity, we must begin with prayer. Prayer for forgiveness from our sin, and confession of Christ as our Savior. Then we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit, living to obey God rather than our own selfish desires. One way we are to obey is by boldly telling the world that Jesus Christ died for the sins of mankind and is the only way to God. (Matthew 28:19, John 14:6). If we follow the example of the early church, it seems this is the way to be "of one heart and soul", as Christ intended.

     It is easy for us to be divided on the issues of our day. Our view of these issues should be formed by time spent studying God's Word, seeking wisdom from God in our prayer, and desiring God's will be done here on earth - even when His will isn't in line with what we consider our "rights". Perhaps then we will begin to know the unity that Christ desired for His followers.

    And...maybe then the world will know that Christ is the One sent from God...