Unify

5-year-old grandboy

"Now protect them by the power of Your name so that they will be united just as we are." (John 17:11b)

My sweet daughter-in-law is diligently working with her 5-year-old to prepare him for kindergarten next fall. Yesterday . . . 

Gabbi: "What's another word that starts with U besides umbrella?"

Grandboy: U . . . U . . . Unify!

In Chapter 17 of the Gospel of John, Jesus interceded for His disciples and His church. A repeated theme in the High Priestly Prayer is unity:

Verse 11: "Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to You. Holy Father, You have given Me Your name; now protect them by the power of Your name so that they will be united just as we are."

Verses 20-23: "I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in Me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as You and I are one — as You are in Me, Father, and I am in You And may they be in us so that the world will believe You sent Me. I have given them the glory You gave Me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and You are in Me. May they experience perfect unity that the world will know that You sent Me and that You love them as much as You love Me."

What did Jesus mean by unity?

Romans 12:4-5: "Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so in Christ, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."

Therefore, beloved believers, act like a Christ's body. Unify. How? 

Romans 12:2, 9-10) "Don't copy the behavior and customs of the world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think . . . Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other."

Amen?