Did you know that unity is the preeminent construct of the Bible, especially of the New Testament doctrine in Christ? Notice, the Scriptures teach, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1, NKJV). There is more than a notion that those who claim to love God and hold a desire to gain Heaven be as one. Additionally, the Apostle Paul states that this is the personal responsibility of every Christian in Christianity. He records, “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). So, as it pertains to the Christian lifestyle, it is a “constant” battling to be “together” in the love of Christ and with one another. Why? Because of the “evil one”! Who is Jesus referring to? Why Satan, of course! The Devil understands how unity undercuts his desire to reap souls away from Jesus. (Luke 22:31). Satan understands that those who enjoin themselves to the blood of Christ have washed away their sins, and now reside in Jesus, sanctified by His blood. (Galatians 3:26-27). After such actions, one no longer walks alone, but holds the precious place of proximity in Christ, God created before the Beginning of time. (Ephesians 3:10-11). Therefore, those who have obeyed the Lord’s Gospel may have a unified faith incorporated by the manifold wisdom of God, in Christ Jesus.
This understanding illuminates the urgency of the Lord’s Prayer in John 17. Jesus sets the stage for the eternal battle over sin for mankind through faith in Him. Thus, He asks the Father, “I pray that You should keep them from the evil one”. God has given us the victory over death and sin by Jesus’ precious blood, but that does not stop the attacks by Satan for our souls to come back to him. The Bible instructs us to be on constant watch for the devil’s onslaught (1 Peter 5:8). The Scriptures allude to the fact that we must understand how beguiling he can make himself to be, using disguised actions which may seem innocent (2 Corinthians 11:3). The devil’s efforts are singular in purpose…bring one out of safe keeping in Christ, to damnation with him in hell for an eternity (Matthew 25:41).
So, the prayer for unity was not only viable when Jesus was leading His disciples towards the culmination of salvation in Christ alone, but also truly relevant for us today as we walk “along the way”. Therefore, we see the immediacy of Paul’s words as he states, “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:1-2). The Christian knows his enemy, the devil. They know he desires to keep them apart. Most importantly, the Brethren identify and desire to execute Jesus’ plan from His prayer in the Garden, to be one with Him. One with each other (Ephesians 4:13-16). On bended knee, Jesus prayed for our safekeeping through His blood; have you obeyed? Do you draw near to the communion of Christ in brotherly affection and love? I pray so, for your sake and mine. Think about these things, and God Bless,
Dr. Archie R. Green