Help with John 17:23

[Carl Emerson]

John 17:23
I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and You loved them, just as You loved Me.

Friends, what I would like discussed is what would this biblical unity look like? - how would we recognise it ?

Can I suggest a few things to look for.

1. The least are heard.
2. Feet are washed.
3. Possessions are shared.
4. Appearances are not paramount.
5. Neighbours are loved.

Pretty simple - yet very rare...

 

[Petros2015]

More chorus, less cacophony.
I can't tell you what it would look like, but it might sound a bit like this

 

[timothyu]

"Friends, what I would like discussed is what would this biblical unity look like? - how would we recognise it ?"

We all as a species would do the will of the Father, not our own. It's all He's ever asked throughout the Bible so that we may be extensions of Him. The same request is made of His spiritual family, the Host..

 

[Unqualified]

One spirit, one baptism, one Lord

 

[Carl Emerson]

More chorus, less cacophony.
I can't tell you what it would look like, but it might sound a bit like this

Well said and an excellent illustration...

 

[Paidiske]

I think there needs to be an outward looking aspect as well; unity of purpose in mission. Working together, as more than the sum of our parts, to pursue God's will in the world.

 

[SamInNi]

Being perfected into one—or being perfectly united in love (see v. 26)—will only be experienced by the chosen few (Matthew 22:14; Luke 13:24). Such unity will never be common this side of glory.

In this passage Christ teaches that we are not of the world. We are separated to Him in purity and in the Truth of God’s word. He prays that we would experience unity, just as He and the Father are One. The purpose of unity is to bear witness to the Gospel so the world may believe that God has sent His Son.

I like your 1-5 list, definitely a big ask without Christ’s divine love in us.

5th in your list is particularly significant to me. We tend to think of loving our neighbour in the context of those around us in the world. And of course, we should consistently be loving yet uncompromising in our attitude to the lost.

But the neighbours we must love as ourselves in particular are our brothers and sisters in Christ. “Love your neighbour as yourself”, a very familiar phrase, is a quote from Leviticus 19:18. The laws in this immediate passage explain how God’s chosen people are to treat one another.

This truth in context then follows through into the true Church. In each local assembly believers in Christ are to lovingly treat one another fairly and graciously.

Leviticus 19:18 is quoted in Romans 13:9 where by God’s Spirit Paul is telling believers to do “no wrong” to one another. In Galatians 5, where the Leviticus text is also quoted, God’s people are told to lovingly serve one another rather than be at one another’s throats.

Finally, in James 2 proper, impartial conduct in church gatherings is enforced by quoting Leviticus 19:18. The believers are told not to make “distinctions among” themselves, “and become judges with evil motives” (v. 4).

 

[Blade]

Perfect a process which brings believers to a completeness. This process continues until completeness is attained in quantity and quality. Thus unity is not possible until "all" parts have been assembled and the quality of the parts fit and function harmoniously. The word "in" furthers the thought of progress toward. So its our duty as a disciple to work toward the example of the God head unity. Verse 11they maintained unity through the Fathers name in verse 21 being a disciple connected to believing the revelation of God in Christ. Verse 22 of being disciples together joined to the glory Jesus Christ to impart. Verse 23 of the presence of the Son and the Father preparing for the unity which brings a knowledge of God in the world. As one said. .. The Fathers love for us is measured by the Fathers love for His Son.

Yet I understand how you are asking.. just a thought though

 

[Carl Emerson]

I think there needs to be an outward looking aspect as well; unity of purpose in mission. Working together, as more than the sum of our parts, to pursue God's will in the world.

Yes... I well remember in the 70's when - by God's fresh breath - church growth exploded, leaders of different denominations worked side by side without thought of traditional differences but focused on the common goal of seeing souls saved.

There was unity.

Our Baptist church attracted a Presbyterian minister who became an elder. No one thought twice about it.

 

[timothyu]

Good point. We don't work for any human formed church, we work for the church of God which is not ritual and tradition or man's truths, but God's truth

 

[Vanellus]

Let's not forget that each Christian is indwelled by the one Holy Spirit so being attuned to the one God by the one Holy Spirit should help.

 

[Carl Emerson]

Let's not forget that each Christian is indwelled by the one Holy Spirit so being attuned to the one God by the one Holy Spirit should help.

Yes - but how to be attuned is not always taught.

 

[anetazo]

It applys to God's Election. They have the holy spirit. Now, the Election plants seeds for God. Its up to Jesus, if those seeds germinate??. John 16:13. How BEIT when he, the spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth; This is the holy spirit. Many people have spirit of stupor for their protection. The wicked dont have spirit of stupor. Two different groups. 15:26. But when the comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of Me. Jesus is King of the Election. Melchizedek means = King of the just. God's Election are the just. 15:16. YE have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain. God's Election are predestined, chosen before foundation of the world. The position for Elect can't be volunteered for. God's Election have part in helping lost souls come to the sheep fold, by planting seeds for God. Again, only Jesus can germinate those seeds. Jesus expects obedience. Servants of God serve Jesus.

 

[ozso]

"they were all with one accord" Acts 2:1