Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 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. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 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. John 17:20-23
“We are one” is a phrase that has been lingering in my spirit for awhile and how imperative it is for us as a body of believers to understand that this is the very basis of what’s needed in order to work effectively for the kingdom. We cannot function properly as a body without it. Unity, truth, and excellence are needed as we move forward in the work of the Lord.
A few years ago, I heard a message that has taken up root in me: "The Synergy that Advances the Kingdom.” Sometimes, a rich word will come and grab your very being and you cannot dismiss it. You begin to marinate in it and allow it to sink deep into your spirit until it takes hold. The word, synergy is the operative word in that message. The word derives from the Greek words sunergiā and from sunergos, meaning cooperation and working together. It also translates as "the interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects." Meaning that our individual efforts are not to be compared to what our combined efforts can accomplish! We were meant to be as one; one body having one mind, unified for one purpose (1 Cor 12:12). Honestly, if we can’t work together, cooperate with one another as a cohesive body within the church as intended, how do we expect to convince nonbelievers of the joy and benefits of this lifestyle? Paul spoke to the Corinthians in regards to not bringing offence in any way so that the ministry is not blamed (2 Cor 6:1-10).
We can take our minds back to Genesis and foundations of the world and think about how God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost worked together as one and in perfect harmony. Perhaps God could have done it all and was more than capable to effectively do it by Himself, but He didn't. They worked together and cooperated as one. What a perfect example for us to follow. Jesus said "the glory that thou has given me Father, I have given to them so that they may be made "perfect" or complete as one." He has given us all that’s needed in order for us to work and be better together for the advancing of the Kingdom. Another example to remember is how Jesus brought together twelve very different individuals to make up the disciples, each with his own personality, trade or craft, talents and gift(s) to collectively work together with one goal in mind to effectively advance the Kingdom… now that is synergy!
It is the Lord’s desire, as well as His plan for us to cooperate and work together as one - so that our combined forces have a greater effect, a greater impact in the work of the ministry. We cannot work one without the other, because it will not be as effective or get the desired or intended results, not from a human or a spiritual aspect. From this scripture today or even from the beginning according to God's plan, you can see that it was not envisioned for us to work alone. Working together as one, others will see and know that we are His disciples. Let's make a conscious effort to effectively advance the Kingdom together, that should our only goal, also having that synergy, cooperating and working together towards one purpose because we are one!
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
“We are one” is a phrase that has been lingering in my spirit for awhile and how imperative it is for us as a body of believers to understand that this is the very basis of what’s needed in order to work effectively for the kingdom. We cannot function properly as a body without it. Unity, truth, and excellence are needed as we move forward in the work of the Lord.
A few years ago, I heard a message that has taken up root in me: "The Synergy that Advances the Kingdom.” Sometimes, a rich word will come and grab your very being and you cannot dismiss it. You begin to marinate in it and allow it to sink deep into your spirit until it takes hold. The word, synergy is the operative word in that message. The word derives from the Greek words sunergiā and from sunergos, meaning cooperation and working together. It also translates as "the interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects." Meaning that our individual efforts are not to be compared to what our combined efforts can accomplish! We were meant to be as one; one body having one mind, unified for one purpose (1 Cor 12:12). Honestly, if we can’t work together, cooperate with one another as a cohesive body within the church as intended, how do we expect to convince nonbelievers of the joy and benefits of this lifestyle? Paul spoke to the Corinthians in regards to not bringing offence in any way so that the ministry is not blamed (2 Cor 6:1-10).
We can take our minds back to Genesis and foundations of the world and think about how God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost worked together as one and in perfect harmony. Perhaps God could have done it all and was more than capable to effectively do it by Himself, but He didn't. They worked together and cooperated as one. What a perfect example for us to follow. Jesus said "the glory that thou has given me Father, I have given to them so that they may be made "perfect" or complete as one." He has given us all that’s needed in order for us to work and be better together for the advancing of the Kingdom. Another example to remember is how Jesus brought together twelve very different individuals to make up the disciples, each with his own personality, trade or craft, talents and gift(s) to collectively work together with one goal in mind to effectively advance the Kingdom… now that is synergy!
It is the Lord’s desire, as well as His plan for us to cooperate and work together as one - so that our combined forces have a greater effect, a greater impact in the work of the ministry. We cannot work one without the other, because it will not be as effective or get the desired or intended results, not from a human or a spiritual aspect. From this scripture today or even from the beginning according to God's plan, you can see that it was not envisioned for us to work alone. Working together as one, others will see and know that we are His disciples. Let's make a conscious effort to effectively advance the Kingdom together, that should our only goal, also having that synergy, cooperating and working together towards one purpose because we are one!
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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