John 17:20-23 - Homilies By B. Thomas

Christian unity.

Notice it—

I. IN ITS IMPORT AND SCOPE .

1. Believers are to be in unity . Many and yet one, one and yet many. Many members, but one body; many bodies, but one Spirit; many believers , but one spiritual community. They are to be one with each other, with Christ, and with the Father.

2. Their union is to be universal . "Tidal they all may be one." There is to be no exception. It is not optional, but the universal rule of the society and law of its great Head. They are to be one:

3. The union is to be perfect . They are to be perfected into one. It is not a sham union, but a real one; and perfection is its goal, although gradually attained. Something like this is the import, scope, and ideal of this grand union, of which Christ is the Author, President, and Inspiration.

II. IN ITS HIGH MODEL AND BASIS .

1. Its model is Divine . "As thou, Father, art," etc. Its model is the union of the Father and the Son. What union was this?

2. Its basis is Divine . "That they may be in us, and one in us."

III. IN ITS PRACTICAL AND EFFICIENT MEANS . How does the Divine go forth and effect the unity of the human? What are the means used?

1. The union of believers with Christ by faith , and his union with them . Faith brings Christ to the soul, and Christ brings that soul to the Father and to all in him. "I in them, and thou in me, that they may," etc. These are the efficient means used and the order of their operation. Thus faith unites believers to him, to the Father, and to each other. As the sun is the center of union in the solar system, so Christ is in the Christian system.

2. The endowment of the Divine glory . "The glory which," etc. What glory was given to Christ which he also gave to his disciples?

3. The prayer of Jesus on their behalf .

IV. IN ITS SPECIAL AND ULTIMATE PURPOSES .

1. The perfection of each individual believer . Perfect unity of all can only effect the perfection of each one. Not one believer can be perfected till all believers are. No member of the body can be absolutely free from rain until every member is. Believers must be perfected into one ere one can be absolutely perfect.

2. The conversion of the world .

LESSONS .

1. Christian union is of supreme importance . It is the goal of Christian life and the perfection of Christian character, and essential to individual and social sanctification. It is the central idea of Jesus and the burden of his prayer, and with regard to Christian character. With this his great prayer ends.

2. The Christian Church lacks in nothing so much as in this . It is essentially imperfect in the present state, especially taken as a whole; but no virtue today is so absent from it as real spiritual union.

3. This should be diligently and prayerfully cultivated . All hindrances to it should be excluded—which, in a few words, are selfishness, self-seeking, and pride, with their injurious progeny. Let these be driven out, and let the Church make the same efforts for inward and spiritual union as it makes for outward reforms; then it will shine with the true glory of the Lord, with the true light of its mission, and with convincing effects upon the world.

4. To attain this let Christ occupy his proper position in each believer , and in the Church as a whole . Let him be the sole Prophet, Priest, and King. Let his self-sacrificing life and love be the center, example, and inspiration of every believing heart; then we shall soon have a true Church of Christ on earth.—B.T.