The Oneness of the Body of Christ
Posted on May 25, 2008
Filed Under Personal, Worldview |
“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.” John 17:22-23
I have always loved meeting new Christian brothers and sisters. Much of this has been shaped by my Air Force experience, where I would travel to some distant location, look up the name of the local Officer’s Christian Fellowship leader, call them on the phone and, if the timing was right, find myself that evening in a home with loved ones, though I had never met them before. This is the sweetness of the oneness in Christ—the fellowship of believers. I have experienced this unity and communion even when I was with believers that I couldn’t understand their language or the words of their worship hymns. I love it and I am fascinated by it.
Last week, I had the opportunity to visit a stranger’s home, filled with more strangers, and leave again with the sense that I had just met a bunch of long lost friends. They had recently finished going through the Truth Project and I had been invited to join them for dinner and a time of Q&A. I have done this on occasion, when the tyranny of my schedule can be broken. What a delightful evening. There were high school students along with adults, each with wonderful testimonies of what God had done in their lives.
I am deeply humbled by what the Lord is doing in small home groups all over this nation and even some remarkable places around the world..from the Far East to Europe, from Central America to soldier’s tents in Iraq.
When Jesus was conversing with the Father in John chapter 17, He prayed:
“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.”
This is the heart of our Lord and it is the heart of our Father, because it springs from His Triune nature. Unity, fellowship, communion, love, oneness…all of these, and more, are part of the consistent vision that He has called us to. Gathering in small groups offers the opportunity for believers to fulfill that vision when they pray for one another, encourage one another, bear one another’s burdens…and laugh together, cry together, hold each other up.
This is the sweet fellowship of the saints.
If you aren’t experiencing it, I encourage you to make it a priority in your life.
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6 Responses to “The Oneness of the Body of Christ”
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Dr. Del Tackett is president of the Focus on the Family Institute and Senior Vice President to Focus on the Family. He is also the architect and chief spokesperson for Focus on the Family's The Truth Project--a nationwide initiative designed to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ.
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Amen Brother!
“May they be brought to complete unity…”
Sounds like a process or a journey doesn’t it?
May the Holy Spirit use the work of truth even in our day to bring about the answer to our Lord’s prayer. His Word is truth!
Also, I am wondering if you could address the doctrinal contradictions that arise when we try to make history according to scripture fit with evolution’s timeline of history. And what would it say about the charater of God if He created everything through “survival of the fittest” ? And do some Christians just “happen” to believe in God?
Much affection to you and yours!
Mike Weaver
Dear Dr. Tackett,
I was one of the people present that night when you came to our small group. I would like to say thank you again for the wonderful time of fellowship and learning. You have allowed the Lord to have full control in your life and he is using you in a mighty way. I pray for and strive towards someday attaining the level of surrender and trust in the Lord that you have. You are a wonderful role model and I pray that many people will come closer to the Lord through your work in the Truth Project.
Del,
It is a beautiful thing..the unity within the Body of Christ. We are just preparing for Heaven, where all denominations, races and differences in cultures will be left behind and with one voice, in unity, we will proclaim our Lord..King forever.
On a side note: How is your heart doing? I know it is coming up on 5 months since your Dad passed away and I am praying that your heart is doing well. He is experiencing that beautiful unity himself in person.
I have been Involved in the Truth Project for a few months in a small group in Michigan through Faith Lutheran Church in Troy. Thank you for allowing God to use you! You have been very fruitful for Him!
Love ya brother,
mark
Dr Tackett,
On the fellowship of the Body, I couldn’t agree more. I have just returned from a weekend retreat with my youth group, and have learned so much from them, even though most of them are roughly 6 years my junior. I’d like to recommend s small-group series to you, though I’m sure you’ve heard of it. Jim Cymbala’s “When God’s People Pray” was the study guide to our weekend, and is a tremendous tool.
Great job on the Truth Project; you and Focus has my congratulations and thanks.
Prayers,
Rachel
I am presently 66 years old. I discovered the 17th chapter of John when I was 17 years old. It really grabbed me then and still does. The inner conflict that occurs (at least, I think it should occur) when some Christian organization works so hard to establish it’s unique identity is arguably an important inner conflict.
When that establishment of identity mitigates against the unity of the body of Christ, it should create an inner conflict. That discomfort needs attention.
I have a hunch the cry of some who think that prayer today isn’t as effective as it was in the day of the book of Acts, may need to consider just how gracious God is to answer any of our prayers when we seem to work so hard to keep Jesus’ own prayer from being answered.
I’m getting to the point more and more that I don’t even want the label “conservative” that I have been proud to carry for considerable time.
I don’t agree with everything Jim Wallis says, but his subtitle to GOD’S POLITICS–”the right doesn’t get it right and the left doesn’t get it” deserves consideration. And power politics isn’t the way of Christ. The unity of the body and the theocracy issues come together at this point.
I thank God for the work done creating THE TRUTH PROJECT and these ensuing articles and discussions. Serious folk are beginning to do some serious and constructive thinking as a result. Thank you all–Del and Focus people and fellow responders in this forum–for allowing God to use you to influence this world for Christ!