John 17:20-26
"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through
their word; 21that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they
also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22And the glory which
You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23I in them, and
You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have
sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
24"Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am,
that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the
foundation of the world. 25O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have
known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 26And 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."
This was Jesus' prayer just before his crucifixion. He prayed that
His church might be perfectly one. In our lives we constantly have to deal with cases
where people are not one. We all want our own way. That's human nature.
Each one wants his way and conviction in serving God.
One of the marks at KwaSizabantu when the revival started was the unity the Holy Spirit
created amongst us. We forgot our differences, traditions and personal convictions. We
were all in unity that God should work among us.
We were all hushed into obedience to the working of God through His Holy Spirit.
The revival was born out of the Word of God.
There was perfect harmony.
We had no questions about what was right or wrong, because we experienced God in our midst
being able to change our very character.
Those that received this Spirit laid their learnedness at the feet of Jesus and asked Him
to teach him.
Yes, you want to serve God. In fact, there probably is not a single person here today who
does not want to follow the Lord. But when it comes to taking up the cross daily, many
fail. It's the most difficult thing for a human being to bow and submit. People want to
fight for their rights, revelations, and what they think is right. Those that cannot
submit to another brother or sister have not experienced the Lord Jesus Christ.
Be prepared to let go of your jealousy, touchiness, and self. Be in perfect harmony with
your brother or sister who knows God, and walks with Him day by day. In so doing you allow
God to purify the gold, and you will become more Christ-like, and a blessing to
others that they too might become like Christ.
Never forsake the work God has done in your life, but remain there
where you can submit to your brother or sister. If you are not in perfect harmony with
your brother or sister, do not leave a stone unturned until you are united again.
The Lord still works in these days like this at KwaSizabantu, and countless come to submit
and offer their lives to serve Jesus alone, be cleansed of their sins and be healed of
their sicknesses. The devil hates this unity amongst the Lord's people, and tries
everything to destroy it.
When the disciples gathered after God worked amongst them, they
were in perfect unity.
Jesus also prayed that his disciples might love one another.
1Cor 13:4 "Love is patient and kind" - to have time for a person and be patient
with your brother or sister. See God's patience with us!
"Love is not jealous or boastful". When God blesses a
person with earthly or spiritual riches, talents, etc. you should bless him too. And when
God blesses you, love remains humble and never becomes arrogant. When God uses your
brother or sister, thank God for it and rejoice. When your brother or sister is lifted up
and given a position, pray for that person's well-being, and rejoice for the blessings
that fell on him. Love rejoices to remain in the background and thank God to be an
instrument in your brother's upliftment.
Love is never rude and does not insist on its own way. It is not self-seeking or
resentful. It doesn't demand its own way.
Even when you know that you're right, and the next person insist on his point and having
it his way, step back and let the other have it his way, and let God be the judge. God can
vindicate you much better than any human.
Love believes, hopes, and endures all things. You cannot be satisfied with anything less.
That must be your aim. That was on the heart of our Lord Jesus Christ, that his disciples
might be one and love one another. He wasn't concerned about His death and suffering lying
just ahead, but He was concerned with you and me.
Is 43:7, "you are My witnesses ... That I am He... Before Me there was no god,
neither after Me". When Judas came with the soldiers, they asked for Jesus, and He
answered, "I am He". Also when He spoke to His disciples in John 13:19, He said
to them, "... These things have I spoken to you before it comes to pass so that when
it comes to pass, you might believe that I am He ..." He is God Almighty, Creator of
heaven and earth. There is none like Him in heaven or earth. And He gave His life for you
and me, to save us from our sins, fill us with His love, so that what He prayed for might
become true in us.