Kingdom Expansion: The importance of unity

John 17:20-26

Kingdom expansion is one of the most important goals for us as Christians, and the only way we can contribute to this is by having the mind of Christ, and Jesus knew that the best way to expand the kingdom of God is to be united in love. 

“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—  I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17:22-23

When we see the world, we see that so many people groups, countries and even Christians are divided, and even as Christians we may cause divisions amongst ourselves due to various personal reasons. But that is not what Jesus intended for us. To have the mind of Christ is to have the mind of Unity.

Jesus desired for us to be united as believers, and the only way that we are united, is when Christ is within us. We may think that unity may come from belonging to the same culture, skin complexion, family or even attending the same church on a Sunday, but true unity lies when Christ is within all of us as believers.

As Christians, we are all called to be his disciples, people that carry the message of God but also people who carry Christ into our relationships with people.

One of the primary demonstrations of being in Christ as people is a unifying love for other believers and all people, not to tolerate sin or false teachings but instead, demonstrate the goodness of God through our lives. When we are all united in Christ, we able to be kingdom expanders.

“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.  I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

John 17:25-26

Our God is a relational God, and it is so amazing to see that Jesus’ desire for us is to know him. To be united in Christ is to continually seek a relationship with Christ. When we seek God, we will walk in the fullness of life that Jesus wants us to walk in.

Through our relationship with Christ, we are able to carry the light of Jesus to others. What is this light? It is the love of Christ. When we carry the love of Christ ourselves, Christ is also within us, and by loving all people despite challenges or differences, we carry Christ into people’s lives, which Jesus calls us all to do.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.”

John 17:20

Jesus’s desire, was for all people to know him and to be covered in his love. When we walk in unity with Christ, we are able to be kingdom expanders.

-           Kenneth Sam