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An Evangelism Essential PDF Print E-mail
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Bible Study - Devotional
Contributed by Phil Spadaro   
Saturday, 31 December 2005
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Unity to Win the World
John 17:20-23 (New International Version) "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

How can we evangelize a lost world with divisions? God expects our unity to shine. Verse 23 makes a strong connection between reaching the lost and unity in Christ. The unity is a demonstration of God's love and the authority of Jesus. When we are divisive and not unified, we deny the love of God and make a mockery of Jesus' lordship.

The measure of unity Jesus desires for his followers in his prayer is the same as the unity between Jesus and God. They have the same heart, purpose, love, conviction, mercy, etc... However, Mark 13:32 tells us that Jesus and God are not necessarily unified by knowledge. Heart issues connect God with His son, not technicalities or knowledge. Should we not imitate that relationship?

If Restoration Movement churches truly desire to win the world for Christ, then we must play by His playbook. Unity is a key element in helping the lost to grasp the authority of Jesus and the love of God. Finding common ground to work together is not a "nice idea" or optional, it is paramount for saving the lost. We must devote resources toward working together (in heart and action) as congregations in order to fulfill the great commission of Matthew 28:18-20.

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Comments
Bravo!
Written by Alan on 2006-01-18 12:04:42
Well said.  
 
We have indeed been zealous for evangelism in the past. But it was a misguided zeal in some ways. The John 17 prayer connects our unity to the world's ability to believe. Also the new commandment in John 13:34-35 connects our  
love for one another to how the world will receive the message from us. A commitment to unity and love would have prevented many of the mistakes of the past.  
 
I think we missed the way. I thank God that we are beginning to see our mistake. 
 
Prov 19:2 It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way. 
 
Alan
Tell us more!
Written by Guest on 2006-01-13 06:01:54
Clearly the scriptures exhort us to unity, especially, as you say, to win the lost world. Please write about how you think this can be achieved.

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