Verse of the Day - weekend

Through the Bible - 2 Chronicles 23-27, John 17

 

Good morning,

What would you consider to be the most important number in the Bible?  Arguably you could say seven, the number of perfection or completion, or possibly twelve for the twelve tribes of Israel or twelve disciples.  Many would have to say "one" is at least one of the most important numbers.

 

I read two devotionals this morning that involved the number one.  The first dealt with Matthew 6:23 about having one Master:

Matt 6:24 "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.  NLT

 

The other was from John 17, which is this weekend's New Testament reading.  It's where we'll go for today's verse.

John 17:22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:  23 I 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.    NKJV

In the NKJV, being "one" is mentioned four times within verses 21 through 23.  It must be important, it is speaking of unity "in Christ".  John MacArthur writes, "The basis of this unity (being one) centers in adherence to the revelation the Father mediated to His first disciples through His Son.  Believers are also to be united in the common belief of the truth that was received in the Word of God (Phil. 2:2)."

 

Jesus desire for His disciples as it is for Christians today is that we be become one.  In preparation for or as an act of worship itself consider the number one in the Bible.  What verses, passages and concepts come to mind?

 

Here are a few to consider.  There is one Mediator, one Master, one Lord of our lives.  There is one baptism, one faith, one birth (Ephesians 4:5).  There is one gospel, one way, one truth, and one true church.  There is unity in one Spirit (Philippians 2:27).

 

In marriage, two become one flesh.  Matt 19: 5 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh' ? 6 So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

 

A cord (one) of three strands is not easily broken (Eccl. 4:12).  What those three strand stand for or can represent can be a study in itself.

 

I'm reminded of the old chorus, We are One in the Spirit

 

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord.
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord.
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.

Chorus:
And they'll know we are Christians
By our love, by our love,
Yes they'll know we are Christians by our love.

Eph 4:4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.  NLT

I'm sure that I have overlooked many others.

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
More tools available at: http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

John 17:20-18:1

 

Jesus Prays for All Believers

 

20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;  21 that 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.  22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:  23 I 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.  25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me.  26 And 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."   NKJV