Part 2
22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. John 17:22-23a
Reviewing last week’s study about unity and how it was the primary point of Jesus’ prayer in John 17:20-23 we saw in verse twenty, how Jesus prayed for all “those who will believe in me” and how it was His desire or plea to our heavenly Father in verse twenty-one “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.”
We also studied about how the glory that Jesus gives each one of us is vital for our unity with one another, “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one” John 17:22. Regarding “the glory” that we have received from Jesus, I stated the following. Even though Jesus does not specifically state what “the glory” is we receive from Him, such as faith, divine strength, hope or wisdom, etc., He does give us a hint that can be recognized by those who love Him and have an intimate relationship with Him. Is “the glory” that Jesus refers to His Love in us?
Concerning “the glory”, I asked three questions of which it was my intention to get the reader thinking about the relation and importance of God’s love in us and how vital it is to the unity that Jesus was praying about.
- “Is “the glory” that Jesus refers to, His Love in us?”
- “Is Jesus’ love in us and how we love one another “the glory” that Jesus is referring to in John 17:22?” “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one”.
- “Is “the glory” that we have received from Jesus, that unity or oneness of love that Jesus has with the Father?”
Recognizing that the “the glory” Jesus speaks about in John 17:22 is His love, the commentator Warren Wiersby makes this important point about the relationship of God’s love in the believer and the unity of believers in Christ Jesus. “The lost world cannot see God, but they can see Christians; and what they see in us is what they will believe about God. If they see love and unity, they will believe that God is love. If they see hatred and division, they will reject the message of the Gospel.”
Therefore, what are the characteristics of “the glory” or the love that every believer in Christ has and should be demonstrating to the world that desperately needs Jesus Christ in their lives?
The apostle Paul tells us the love is the fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love…” How does a Christian produce or get the fruit of the Spirit in his or her life? The answer is by continuously or uninterruptedly abiding, depending and relationally living in and with Jesus. “To abide in Christ means to depend completely on Him for all that we need in order to live for Him and serve Him. It is a living relationship. As He lives out His life through us, we are able to follow His example and walk as He walked.” Warren Wiersby
Please notice in the following verses (that are in the bold font), as in Jesus’ prayer in John 17:20-23, the relationship of the Father, Jesus and the believer in Christ in John 15:1-8. 1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
When we as Christians talk about the fruit of the Spirit love, we are referring to agape love. One commentator says, “agape love defines our relationship with God and dictates how we should treat others.” Hayford’s Bible Handbook defines agape love this way. “Agape denotes an undefeatable benevolence and unconquerable goodwill that always seeks the highest good of the other person, no matter what he does. It is the self-giving love that gives freely without asking anything in return, and does not consider the worth of its object.”
What does agape love in a Christian look like and how is it lived out in the life of a Christian? Paul gives us a practical list in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, but in his list he also states what agape love is not which helps us to better understand how agape love is manifested in the life of a believer. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
In the following verses, please notice, as in Jesus’ prayer in John 17:20-23, the relationship of the Father, Jesus and the believer in Christ concerning Jesus’ comments about loving Him.
- John 14:21, Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”
- John 15:9-13, 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
We need to realize that our unity or how we love one another is one of the most effective witnessing tools that Jesus has given every Christian, which lets the world know about Jesus and lets the world see how God’s love works. John 17:23b, 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.
Pastor John
