(#1568) Day 14. Our Unity Needs To Be Protected (6/10/26)
Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (currently posted on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) as we continue our 9-week series: Fresh Vision From Jesus' High Priestly Prayer from John 17.
This week, we continue our three-week focus on John 17:6-19, the second section of Jesus' High Priestly Prayer, where we will see that genuine Christian fellowship ('One Anothering') is essential to God's vision for our lives and the local church.
To watch this devotional, go to:
Please read John 17:6-19
1. Unity Is Always Under Threat
When I was a relatively new Christian, I was part of a church that became deeply divided and eventually had to close. Many of those involved had been Christians for years, yet division still took root.
That experience taught me that division is never far away. It can appear in obvious ways, but it can also begin through small offences, misunderstandings, gossip, or unresolved conflict. Like a cancer, it spreads if left untreated.
At the time of writing, we are experiencing a drought. The Prime Minister has encouraged shops to stop selling disposable barbecues and urged people not to use them. Why? Because the ground is so dry that a small, seemingly harmless spark can quickly start a devastating fire.
Likewise, the nature of our fallen humanity means that each of us can, sometimes without realising it, become a source of division. A careless word, an unresolved offence, a critical spirit or a desire to be right can become the spark that starts a much larger fire. We need to recognise the danger and be careful not to become people who spread the flames of division, but people who carry the water of peace, love and reconciliation.
Because division is so destructive, Paul gives this strong instruction:
‘Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.’ (Titus 3:10)
Unity is precious, and therefore it must be carefully protected.
2. How Do We Protect Unity?
Jesus' prayer helps us to see several ways that God protects our unity:
i. Unity Is Protected by Recognising How Precious Other Christians Are to God
Jesus prayed:
‘“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours…” (John 17:6)
Every Christian belongs to God. Each one has been chosen by the Father and given to the Son.
When we truly see our brothers and sisters in this way, it changes how we treat them. We value them, not because they are perfect, but because they are deeply loved and precious to God by His grace.
ii. Unity Is Protected Through Empathy
In Jesus’ prayer for our unity, He speaks of our remaining ‘in the world’.
‘“I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.”’ (John 17:11)
Life in this fallen world is difficult. We all face pressures, temptations, disappointments, loneliness, fears, and spiritual battles. None of us has yet been made perfect - everyone walks with a limp!
Remembering this helps us to show patience and grace towards one another. Empathy does not excuse sin, but it does help us respond with compassion rather than harshness. Rather like we read of the Old Testament priest:
‘He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness.’ (Hebrews 5:2)
iii. Unity Is Protected Through Prayer
Finally, unity is protected as we follow Jesus' example by praying for one another. Throughout John 17:6–19, Jesus continually intercedes for His disciples. If the Son of God saw prayer as essential to protecting His church, then surely we should also. As we regularly pray for one another, God softens our hearts, deepens our love, and strengthens the unity that Jesus desires for His people.
Moment To Reflect
Our unity is precious to God and needs to be protected.
Are you in good relationships with your brothers and sisters in Christ? If not, what steps could you take to seek peace and reconciliation?
In your conscience, can you say that you are obeying Romans 12:17-18:
‘Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.’
Finally, ask yourself: Are my actions and words seeking to unite and bring people together or divide people?
Download the booklet
Below is the link to download the devotional booklet: Fresh Vision From Jesus Prayer. This is a series of 27 devotionals based upon Jesus' High Priestly Prayer in John 17.
This year we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of CCP; to watch our anniversary video, please select the link below:
Community Group Study
(This week is ‘SIV’ (Serve, Invest and inVite) Week, so we’ll be focussing on this during our time together.
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
3. Study and pray together
(This week is ‘SIV’ (Serve, Invest and inVite) Week)
On Sunday, we continued our series, Fresh Vision From Jesus’ Prayer, and continued in our three-week focus on John 17:6-19, the second section of Jesus' High Priestly Prayer, where we will see that genuine Christian fellowship (One-another) is essential to God's vision for the local church.
As we think and pray about our mission together, I’m sure we can see that our unity -our loving support of one another - is vital if we are to encourage each other in seeking to reach our community for Jesus.
What is SIV?
SIV stands for Serve, Invest and inVite. This is our very simple strategy to help bring our community to Jesus. We believe that God has placed us in relationships and in specific locations to be 'salt and light.' and to ‘fish for people’. We can effectively bring people to Jesus by:
'Serving' them - Demonstrating the love of Christ in practical ways;
'Investing' - Investing in the ‘people of peace’ those whom we feel the Spirit is leading us.
'Inviting' - Inviting them into our homes by showing hospitality and inviting them to church events, to Alpha, and ultimately, inviting them to come to Jesus through the gospel.
In your groups:
Share stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing stories of how we’ve seen God at work through simple faithfulness.
Think about practical next steps – Who might God be placing on your heart at this time? Are there any “people of peace” (see note below) in your life - those who seem open, welcoming, or receptive to spiritual conversation?
Pray together:
i. Let’s begin by praying for one another regarding our SIV theme:
Pray for courage, wisdom, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in our Serve, Invest, and Invite opportunities.
Pray specifically for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives - that God would open hearts and deepen relationships.
Pray for our Alpha ministry and Phil Mash who heads up this team
Pray for our mission in Roehampton - that He would lead us in reaching that community with the gospel.
ii. General Prayer: Let’s also pray for a three specifics things in our church life:
Gift days: Continue to pray for our 30k target to be met at our upcoming gift days on 11th and 18th October.
Community Groups: In line with Sunday’s theme of unity, continue to pray for our Community Group life to flourish. (for info on groups, go to https://www.communitychurchputney.com/community-groups )
Our 50-hours of prayer: Pray for God to inspire us to pray, speak as we pray, and lead us in powerful prayer together.
General prayer: How do people want prayer at this time?
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