-Strength for Today- "That They May be One." - John 17:21

    The term “human race” denotes an identifiable group of people, who share a common “ethical interest,” that after the fall of mankind, their, identity was determined by God. These days however, when it comes to seeking:

·       Justice, and  

·       Unity,

    Even among believers it’s hard to find. Everything seems so distant, that people can’t talk about “ethical differences” without evoking:

·       Anger and

·       Bitterness toward one another.

    On Sunday’s or in our social gatherings, we might mention Jesus’ work of “peace and justice”, but many non-believers are left wondering if we really believe what we’re “preaching.”  Because as the world groans for “peace”, all that they see is the displays of hideous satanic injustice, in the midst of “religious and societal bigotry”. But for the Church that Jesus established through His blood, this is an opportune time to:

·       Bridge the gap of confusion, with the gospel, and

·       Proclaim the Lordship of Jesus Christ through our unity with one another. 

      In John 17:21 Jesus prayed for His followers, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent me.”

     In Jesus’ High Priestly prayer, He wasn’t just praying for Peter, James, John, He was praying for all who would believe, by faith, in what He was about to accomplish on the cross, which includes members of “an ethnic group” here on the earth. In His high priestly prayer, Jesus made it evident that our unity with one another and our engagement with the world is a way for the good news to pierce the hearts of those who are:

·       Waiting on the outside,

·       Wondering if It’s safe for them to join His family. 

    As the world groans for peace and unity, the first place they look is to the government, and its ever changing laws. But for believer’s, Jesus left us His Church, for the purpose that those in Him will look to Him, (and not a building), for answers. Because it’s such times as these, that we’re to proclaim the Lordship of Jesus Christ through our unity with one another. 

    Because Jesus came to earth to “reconcile” our broken relationship with the Father and with one another. Therefore, the only way to tear down walls of confusion, brought on by the “cunning” ways of the devil, is to come to God by accepting His free gift of grace through Christ Jesus. And by the way, we’re expected to extend the same gift to others, (Matthew 28:19-20, by allowing them to experience the same:

·       Love,

·       Joy, and

·       Peace

That only He can provide.  So as we strive toward “ethnic reconciliation” and “justice” in this world, we as believers, must join Jesus in Hs “restorative ministry”, by remembering that “...the Son of man is come to seek and save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10), for its only here that “ethnic reconciliation,” is rewarded by faith. Now this is a beautiful and rewarding work when we engage in it, and grow in our knowledge of the God who:

·       Values justice, and yet

·       Shows His loving mercy toward us.

        Because it’s only here that we can learn to reach beyond our “ethnic walls,” and learn to humbly rely on God for strength for today, and in that which is   beyond our perception – 21 Corinthians 2:9.

Author: Plez Lovelady, Jr., PhD