Christian Unity

February 9th, 2024
by Richard Sibbes
0

That they may all 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 have sent me. -John 17:21

Christ is in all believers, as the vine is in the branches and as the head is in the members. Here is a notable bond of union between Christians; Christ by his Spirit is in them all. Christ is one in them all, not divided; his Spirit is the same spirit in them all. It would be an excellent thing if all the people of the world had the same mind of Christ, the same faith, the same aims, the same affection to good things, all as one person. How strong they would be against any opposition from Satan and how peaceful it would be between them if they all had one heart, one affection, one aim! This should be the experience of all Christians. It is the end of Christ's prayer in John 17, that we would be one in him, and in the Father, and with each other (John 17:21). We must take heed that we do not think this phrase to be a shallow phrase, as if it is in common life. We say of two friends, that there is one soul between the two of them, because they love each other; we make it nothing but a matter of affection. No; Jesus said, 'I in them' and 'I have made known to them your name and will continue to make it known' (John 17:26). It argues more than union in affection. It is a wonderful working and operative power when Christ is said to be in us. As the vine transfuses juice and life to the branch to make it fruitful, so must we understand the depth and comfort of the phrase, Christ in you.
Christ in you, also directs us how to look on other Christians as the temples and houses where Christ dwells. If Christ consents to dwell in a person, will that person not dwell in our love? We will all be together in heaven, and will we not love each other here? For Christ has two heavens; the heaven where he is, and the heart of a believing Christian. Oh, how truly, deeply, and affectionately we should value and love one another!
Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Matchless Love and Inbeing, Works, vol. 6, pp. 402, 408
Banner of Truth has granted permission for the use of this material.

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