“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)
There has been much in the news in recent days over the
church being united in Christ as part of the coverage related to the hate
motivated mass murder in a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina.
While there has been a rightful and questioning look at the vestiges of
discrimination remaining in this county, there has also been a large amount of
coverage of the response of the people affected and the reopening of the church.
As this has happened the media has been forced to focus on the love,
forgiveness, and faith of the church and the families as well as the broad
sweep of support coming from the other churches and religious leaders of the
area. Evident in the midst of recovering from a tragedy stemming from hate, the
believers in and around this church have shown a peace and oneness that is
beyond comprehension for many.
As Jesus was speaking with the Father He asked even those
who believed as a result of the words of His immediate disciples that they might
be one just as He and the Father are in each other and one. He prayed that they
would be in God such that the world might believe that He was sent by the
Father. He prayed that their oneness might even become perfected, so that the
world may know that the Father sent Him and loved them even as the Father loved
the Son. Jesus said in John 13:24-35, “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)
There is not one of us that can pretend to know what all of
the outcomes might be of the tragedy in Charleston or any other tragic or difficult
situation of life. But what we do know is that God won’t waste it. As the love
of Christ is shown from these believers and to these believers a stark contrast
is being drawn between the responses in other places where tempers rise to riot
and its intensity is constantly broadcast throughout the media outlets. And as
the world looks seeing both, the question may likely arise asking what makes
one group respond differently than the other?
Jesus said that this difference rests in the perfection of
oneness that comes from knowing Christ. In the face of what drives the world
apart, believers can stand in peace with the peace of God demonstrating the
incredible power of God that rests in their unfailing hope and unity of the
Spirit. The hurts run very deep and their loved ones will be deeply mourned,
but in mourning they mourn not as the world does without hope, but with the hope
that comes from God. And while appropriate attention is drawn to the racial divisions
that still exist, believers can demonstrate that in Christ there is a oneness
that draws people to Him, proclaiming to all the love they know in Him.
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use
your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one
another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your
neighbor as yourself.”” (Galatians 5:13–14, ESV)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things
there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22–23, ESV)
1 comment:
Simply beautiful.
Post a Comment