Unity

Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus prayed for us, the believers of the future. He prayed that we might be one, as he and the father are one. That "oneness" or unity, has a purpose - check it out:

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be as one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you loved me.  John 17:20-23

Unity is vitally important to God and when we work together, love one another and build up the body of Christ, we create a beautiful picture of God's love. Who cares? Jesus did and so should we. Look closely at the passage:

     ... so that the world may believe that you have sent me (21)
            ...to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me (23)

                                                                                         Artist: Marie Hammond

Love points people to God and if it isn't visible in his followers, how will the world know?