That They May Be One in Truth

A Study on the Prayer of Christ for His Church

One of the most profound prayers recorded in all of Scripture is found in John 17. On the night before His crucifixion, our Lord Jesus Christ lifted His eyes toward heaven and prayed—not only for His apostles—but for all who would believe through their testimony.

His prayer reaches across the centuries to every faithful believer.

The Foundation of True Unity

Jesus prayed:

"Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth."
(John 17:17)

Before Christ prayed that His followers would be one, He first prayed that they would be sanctified by the truth. This teaches us that genuine unity cannot be separated from God's revealed Word. Truth is not an obstacle to unity—it is its very foundation.

The Prayer of Our Lord

Jesus continued:

"I do not ask on behalf of these only, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their word, that they all may be one; just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me."
(John 17:20–21)

Notice the pattern Christ sets before us.

The unity He desired for His Church was patterned after the unity that exists between Himself and His Heavenly Father.

It is a unity of:

• purpose,
• truth,
• love,
• obedience,
• and complete harmony with the Father's will.

Unity Through Humility

Such unity requires humble hearts.

Every disciple must be willing to place God's Word above personal opinion, tradition, and pride.

The goal is never to "win" an argument.

The goal is to understand more perfectly what our Heavenly Father has revealed through His Son.

When Scripture corrects us, we rejoice.

When Scripture confirms us, we give thanks.

When Scripture teaches us, we grow together.

Speaking the Truth in Love

Truth without love becomes harsh.

Love without truth loses its foundation.

Christ demonstrated both perfectly.

Therefore believers should strive to:

• seek truth with humility,
• receive correction with gratitude,
• speak with gentleness,
• and encourage one another toward greater understanding.

Our Shared Prayer

May we always seek to be one with each other in truth, as Jesus is one with His Heavenly Father, Yahweh.

May we always love God's truth more than our own conclusions.

May we always allow Scripture to shape our understanding.

May we always seek harmony through obedience to God's Word rather than through compromise with error.

And may the prayer of our Lord continue to be fulfilled among His faithful people until He returns.

"That they may all be one; just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us..."
(John 17:21)

HaliluYah!

May Yahweh, through Christ Jesus our Lord, sanctify us by His truth, strengthen us in love, and unite all who faithfully seek Him according to His Word.

"Your word is truth." (John 17:17)

Shalom.

Presented by Arthur E. Parker Jr.