“And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me that they may be one, as we are”. – John 17:11
Jesus clearly stated the oneness of him and the father. His prayer is that those who believe in him should be preserved/kept by the father. Jesus came from the father and went back to the father so he presented those that the father has given him to be kept through the name of the Almighty God. No wonder the scriptures said in Proverb 18:10(KJV) “The name of the LORD is a mighty tower: the righteous runneth into, and is safe”. This scriptures is not just a statement but an assertion of a truth that is incontestable. The name of God is hallowed and must be treated as such. The name of the LORD preserves and protect. The name of the LORD is a defence.
Every one that surrenders his life to Christ is from the FATHER who is the initiator of our salvation and redemption. In our main verse today Christ was praying to God to keep us bonded as one through the name of the Almighty God. All the powerful name of God are subsumed in the name JESUS CHRIST. By the seal of God’s authority on that name it stands out above any other name in heaven, on earth and underneath the earth. It is by this name that the entire Christian race is united and bonded as one. The name of Jesus Christ elicits oneness among believers. Even among those who are total strangers to one another are united by that name. When the name is mentioned it becomes a bonding factor among believers. It produces togetherness. Jesus continued his prayers in John 17:21(KJV) he said “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”. Whosoever and whatsoever that contradict these scriptures through divisive act by word, practice or doctrine is operating from the pit of hell and so must be resisted.
Prayer: Father grant me the grace to be a promoter of believer’s oneness in Christ in Jesus Name.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo