Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

 ²¹  that they may all be one;  even 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 sent Me. 

 ²³  I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.

 ²⁴  “Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.”  John 17:20-24.

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Today, through today’s Scripture, we get a better understanding of the unconditional covenant wherein God brings us together, united, within the same bond of family as the Holy Trinity:  God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit.

This unity is based on the same position, same glory, and same love.

Let us take a look at the verse which speaks about the unity based on the same position.  “that they may all be one;  even 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 sent Me.”  John 17:21.

Let us take a look at the verse which speaks about the unity based on the same glory.  “”The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one;”  John 17:22.

Let us take a look at the verse which speaks about the unity based on the same love.  “I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.”  John 17:23.

What is the purpose of this unity?  “… so that the world may believe that You sent Me.”  John 17:21.  “… so that the world may know that You sent Me …”  John 17:23.  In essence, this is eternal life.  “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”  John 17:3.  

The Methodists seem to believe that they are better than the nondenominationals and resist unity with them.  The Baptists seem to believe that they are better than the Methodists and the nondenominationals and resist unity with them.  The Reformed and Presbyterians seem to believe that they are better than the Baptists, Methodists, and nondenominationals and resist unity with them.  The Protestant Reformed seem to believe that no one else is truly Reformed and resist unity with everyone else.

And, before all my friends, particularly at the Protestant Reformed Churches, complain that I am too hard on  them.  I need to admit that there is a lot of truth to Matthew 22:14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”  We should seek the kingdom of God with the focus and diligence as if only one of us with obtain it.  “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”  Matthew 13:44-46.  “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may win.”  1 Corinthians 9:24

Just like a father drives his children to be the very best out of love, and does not let them think that they can slide by “good enough” in life, we should exhort others.  And, we are not just talking about being successful in life.  We are talking about eternal life.  Nothing is more important!  We cannot let others think that they are safe coasting down the beautiful river on a sunny warm day when there is a waterfalls around the bend. 

Not even the Apostle Paul was presumptuous or satisfied with his standing.  “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet;  but one thing I do:  forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;”  Philippians 3:13-15. 

So, considering all of this:  our sinful pride, our sinful selfishness, our ignorance, our clumsiness at reaching unity, and yet also the truth, how can we reach that unity?

But, there is hope! 

God is the one Who perfects us in unity.  “I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity …”  John 17:23. 

But, God also uses us.  We should not just rest content, unwilling to do anything, thinking of ourselves as superior.  1 Corinthians 4:7  “For who regards you as superior?  What do you have that you did not receive?  And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”

So, what can we practically do?  Send a reply to other people’s  emails.  Write a letter.  Pick up the phone.  Visit others.  Get out there into the world.  We are commanded to love others.  Do we really love others if we don’t contact them?  Do we really work love other Christians and work toward unity, if we have little contact with those outside our own church or our own denomination?