Be One

How does Jesus extend above His prayer to God the Father?
To cover all future Christians who will hear what the apostles pass onto them: "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word" (John 17:20).

What phrases above describe Jesus’ relationship with God the Father?
"You, Father, are in Me, and I in You… You sent me" (John 17:21). "The glory which You gave Me… We are one" (John 17:22). "You in Me… You have sent Me… You have loved Me" (John 17:23). "My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world" (John 17:24). "I have known You… You sent Me" (John 17:25). "The love with which You loved Me" (John 17:26).

How close is Jesus' relationship with the Father?
It can't be any closer; they "are one" (John 17:22).

What phrases describe Jesus’ desired relationship with Christians?
"They also may be one in Us" (John 17:21). "The glory which You gave Me I have given them" (John 17:22). "I in them… You… have loved them" (John 17:23). "I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory" (John 17:24). "And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them" (John 17:26).

So, how close is Jesus’ desired relationship with Christians?
It can't be any closer.

How close are most "Christians'" desired relationship with Jesus?
Most self-declared Christians want to confine Him to a corner of their lives, days, or just Sunday mornings.

What does Jesus pray for among Christians?
Unity: “that they all may be one” (John 17:21); “they may be one” (John 17:22); “that they may be made perfect in one” (John 17:23).

What is the enabler of the unity?
Glory: “And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one” (John 17:22).

How can “glory” unite Christians?
δοξαν (doxan), the original Greek word translated "glory," has several meanings, including "honor," "splendor," "greatness," "majesty," but also “opinion,” “judgment,” “what one thinks.” In fact, this word in the latter sense gives us the English word, “doctrine.” So Jesus is saying that He has given the Father's thoughts, judgments and opinions to His apostles.

What did the apostles eventually do with them?
Wrote them down into what is now called the Bible.

Why are there so many factions within Christianity today?
Many factions that call themselves "Christian" are cults whose beliefs and practices twist and oppose the Bible, while some Christian factions have veered away from the Word of God and each other by failing to be grounded in the Bible, instead focusing on their leaders, pet doctrines and traditions. Also, God's resources are infinite but Satan's aren't and therefore concentrated where they can cause the greatest damage among Christians. Jesus wants neither division among true Christians nor our unity with non-true Christians.

How can we tell if a group is truly Christian or how far a Christian group has gone astray?
Compare their beliefs and practices against the Bible, which requires studying the Bible for ourselves.

Which beliefs and practices of your church are not found in the Bible?