World Connection! (part 4 of 4)

[04/18/2008 “teEn-MAIL”]

WORLD CONNECTION! (part 4 of 4)

Yesterday we noted part of our Lord’s prayer for the disciples and their connection with the world. As Jesus continued that prayer He noted another godly desire that has a world connection.

We read. . .
“(20) I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, (21) 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. (22) The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, (23) 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)

Even as Jesus prayed for the twelve, He was also mindful of those who would believe through their message. In this regard His prayer moved beyond the present to a focus on subsequent believers. Can we understand and be encouraged by the sense in which that includes us who also now believe? Through our living out our belief in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, there is another world connection of which we are to be mindful. That connection relates to HOW THIS WORLD PERCEIVES US and what our life together says about the Lord we claim to serve. Our unity together as believers in Christ is to be a beautiful and powerful testimony to the world that JESUS IS THE ONE sent to save and reconcile (bring back) humanity with God. With Jesus’ mission carried out on the basis of such a great love, the world may get its first view of that Divine love in seeing how we as His followers are with each other and receive their first taste of that Divine love in the manner in which we touch their lives. May it be Jesus Who is seen as the real unifying power among us as we commit ourselves to striving to be Christ-like in all we do and say.

Have a great day LIVING SO THAT OTHERS WILL BELIEVE!
Carl

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