July 30

John 17:20‑21
“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; that they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me” —John 17:20, 2120Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. (John 17:20‑21).
IT is sometimes said that it is a pity this prayer has never been answered. But that is a mistake. However much outward schisms have rent the professing Church, the glorious fact remains that “there is one Body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling” (Eph. 4:44There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (Ephesians 4:4)). The more our souls enter into this, the greater will be the power of our testimony to the world. Manifested unity is the strength of the Church of God, and strikes terror to the forces of evil (Phil. 1:27, 2827Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. (Philippians 1:27‑28)).
Christian fellowship is something far deeper and more precious than mere companionship of like-minded persons or a confederation of societies or local assemblies. It is a spiritual reality that is manifested by communion with the redeemed of the Lord everywhere, “the communion of the Holy Ghost” (2 Cor. 13:1414The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. <<The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi, a city of Macedonia, by Titus and Lucas.>> (2 Corinthians 13:14)). Elsewhere it is called “the communion of the Body of the Christ” (1 Cor. 10:1616The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? (1 Corinthians 10:16)), and “the fellowship of His [that is, God’s] Son” (1 Cor. 1:99God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:9)). Into this fellowship all believers are introduced by the Spirit’s baptism, which makes them members of that mystical Body, of which the exalted Christ is the Head (Eph. 5:3030For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. (Ephesians 5:30)).
“In Christ there is no East or West.
In Him no South or North;
But one great fellowship of love
Throughout the whole wide earth.
Join hands, then, brothers of the faith,
Whate’er your race may be:
Who serves my Father as a son
Is surely kin to me.”