Live to Love Scripture Encouragement John 17.21.2

John 17:21.2 ”That they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” We don’t want to miss God’s plan in sending His Son. His plan was that the love the Father has for His Son, which unites them would be manifested to and through a select group of followers.These followers were so impacted and transformed as they received and believed the words the Father gave Him to give to them, so that they became channels of His life, love, and the gospel in the world. His use of the word world in this case seems to be the same as was John’s use of it in 1 John 2:2. “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” What is meant is this: In the entire history of the world, God has provided only one way, namely Jesus, for sins to be forgiven and upon whom anyone may believe and be saved. In Jesus’ prayer in John 17:21, Jesus was saying to His Father, that throughout the entire remaining history of the world, the community of believers filled and unified by His love, will be the convincing proof to everyone who believes that God sent Jesus as Lord and Savior. A team of 8 guys on mission in Brazil for Global Challenge Expeditions were cruising the Amazon River. They and other passengers slept in hammocks on deck for over a week. They built a relationship with two men, one was an atheist and another was a new ager who believed that the universe is God. Opportunities arose for them to share their testimonies regarding Jesus and for the other two to also share their “testimonies” of “miracles” they had experienced in life. One shared how certain amazing things had happened “by chance” and the other shared how “the universe” provided for Him. They all testified of peace, hope, and faith they had found in Jesus, the universe, and in humanity. Finally, my friend provided the undeniable evidence that Jesus was God in the flesh sent to save mankind. He said, “You have watched us guys for a week. Have you noticed the love we have for each other? That comes from Jesus.” The other two men replied, “We don’t have that.” It isn’t something humans or the universe can provide. The love that unites believers testifies to the world that God sent Jesus. We live to love with Jesus so the world may believe that God sent Him to be their savior and Lord. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com