"I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one..." John 17:22
When the Lord launched me into full time ministry, I quickly encountered what I had never encountered: higher level spiritual warfare against the Church. I found myself being tempted with inward hostility and a critical attitude towards my leaders. I had Scriptures bombarding me daily, some sent from God and many sent by the devil to accuse the brethren. I'm sure I fell for the devil's lies more times than I even know. Daily I repented to God and asked for wisdom and discernment. One morning, I called one of my leaders to apologize for thinking bad things about them the day before during a meeting. The leader forgave me and comforted me, explaining that "getting along" is supernaturally more difficult in Church. Why? Because the devil loves division. A kingdom divided cannot stand (Matthew 12:25). If Jesus gave His glory to His people for supernatural unity and love for one another and this will attract people to Himself, then the devil will use his biggest weapons to attack unity.
If the devil hates unity, then we must become all the more committed to it. The devil wants to magnify the flesh in others to cause slander and division. I make mistakes all the time and I am far from perfect. The same holds true for others. A wise mentor of mine taught me that I must approach every instruction, teaching, or interaction with a saint the same way I would approach eating fish: have bread handy in case a bone gets by. This way, the bones won't choke me and I can be nourished by the good stuff. We are instructed to hold fast to that which is good and let go of the rest (1 Thessalonians 5:21). I tend to be more in awe of looking at the stars and the supernovas than at God's people. Yet, before He left earth, Jesus said He gave His glory to His people. The glory was given "that they may be one." Jesus said, "I in them and you in me - SO THAT they may be brought to complete unity. THEN the world will know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me" (John 17:23, emphasis added). The beauty and majesty of supernovas won't bring people to salvation. People will know that Jesus is real by the unity and love we have for one another.
Comments