“That they may be one, as we are one.” John 17:11, Phillips

Christian believers today face countless challenges to their unity in Christ. However, the Bible provides insight and instruction on how to live God’s gift of oneness in Christ. Knowing that envy and jealousies could divide the disciples, Jesus’ burden in the last hours before his death was to pray for their unity. 

Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John 17 is a reminder that He is still concerned about Christian unity today. His prayer should be our prayer, however diverse our respective understandings of the gospel message. In this prayer, Jesus’ focus is not on organizational or structural unity but on the unity of all believers—founded in faith, truth, and love. 

As the world around us becomes increasingly fragmented, the church must demonstrate that unity in diversity is attainable; that all are equal at the foot of the cross. God’s people are called to demonstrate the healing, reconciling power of the gospel. Such unity is beyond human accomplishment and can only be the result of the divine gift of grace.