"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 17:23
A story is told about F.B. Meyer, the great Bible teacher and pastor who lived a
century ago. He was pastoring a church and began to notice that attendance was
suffering. This continued until he finally asked some members of his
congregation one Sunday morning why they thought attendance was down.
A member volunteered, "It is because of this new church down the road. The young
preacher has everyone talking and many are going to hear him speak."
His name was Charles Spurgeon. Meyer, rather than seeking to discourage this,
exhorted the entire congregation to join him and go participate in seeing this
"move of God" as he described it to his congregation.
"If this be happening, then God must be at work."
Meyer, even though he was an accomplished preacher and teacher, recognized where
God was at work and joined Him in it. [The author heard this on a radio show
from Key Life Ministries with Steve Brown, based in Orlando, Florida.]
Can you imagine this story taking place in our competitive world today?
Competition has penetrated the Church so much that many churches and Christian
organizations approach ministry like a sports event. They view their mission as
a business that seeks to gain market share among Christians-donors, members,
influence-all under the name of God. I am sure God looks down at us and asks,
"Whatever happened to John 17:23?" Sometimes we must remind our fellow servants
that we are all on the same team! We should be seeking to impact the Kingdom of
God, not increase our own market share.
When Jesus made this statement about unity in John 17:23, it represented the key
to bringing salvation to many. He was saying that when His Body is unified, the
non-Christian would be able to see who Jesus really is-the Son of God. Are you
contributing to unity in the Body of Christ? Or are you contributing to a spirit
of competition? Ask God where you can be an instrument of unity in His Body.
Excerpted with permission from the book TGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman,
copyright 2000, Destiny Image Publishers, Reprinted by permission. For free
daily email subscription to TGIF Today God Is First marketplace meditations,
visit www.marketplaceleaders.org
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