Beloved, Let Us Love One Another

When I think about Jesus prayer regarding “unity” or “oneness” in John chapter 17, I am keenly aware of what must be a disconnect of my understanding of oneness, God’s truth regarding oneness and the reality on the ground amongst followers of Jesus.  One principle in life I believe to be true and good is that of honoring others.  This discipline of honoring parents, leaders, children and even cultures different than our own and a host of others is a way that values with weight the importance of another person, regardless of how they believe or even feel toward you or God. Instead of “canceling” another person because of the way they believe or behave, we embrace them as God’s creation, capable and lovable.  Even God showed honor to every person in the world by sending His Son into the world, not to condemn but to save (John 3:17).

So within the Body of Christ, the church, the worldwide fellowship of believers (whatever you want to call it), why is there so much division and dishonor?  Seems like we are constantly bombarded with the reality of our differences. Is it possible that if we could understand from God’s point of view what really matters, we may be more united than we realize or at least, the possibility of oneness may be more attainable than we realize.  On this issue, I really wish that I knew God’s point of view.  When we pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” perhaps this is one aspect of  what we are asking:  “God, show us what is important from your point of view.”

One particular theme that seems to rise above others is the theme of love.  We understand that all the law is summed up in loving God and loving our neighbor.  The disciple who had a particularly strong propensity in this regard was John.  In his first epistle he certainly emphasized how important it is that we love one another (I John 4:7&8).  Is agreement required for us to love one another?  Is it possible for Holy Spirit to anoint us with the fruit of love for our fellow believers, even when we do not agree on what appears to be critical points of doctrine?

I cannot remember where I heard this statement but I believe there is a gold nugget of truth in it and I have taught it to campers my whole time in camp leadership.

“There are two things that have eternal value: relationships and character”

The context in which I share this message with campers of all ages is in the context of understanding the difference between eternal values and temporal values.  I would ask the group:  “Let’s make two lists.  The first list will be examples of items that are temporary and the second list will be examples of items that are eternal.”  To get folks thinking I would suggest that if someone handed me a chocolate ice cream cone, I could illustrate how temporary that particular item would be!  In making up the list of eternal things it was pretty easy to link these things directly or indirectly to character and relationships.  The point of the lesson was to illustrate that we really can put no value on that which is eternal.  The eternal things are so precious, so meaningful and so powerful that it only seems right that we should make these things the priority in our lives.

Could this be the key to how God views the prayer of Jesus in John 17?  Is it possible that love is the answer to Jesus prayer?

First John 4:7 & 8 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”