John 17
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21 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.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast 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 uplifting. 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.