United in Purpose

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

—John 15:5

In the summer of 2017 a trip to the beach in Panama City, Florida, nearly turned deadly when nine beachgoers were trapped by a brutal riptide. Bystanders on the shore saw those trapped in the water and immediately took action. More than 70 strangers formed a lifeline that stretched far into the water to save all the swimmers.

Human chains have been formed to rescue people out of riptides, floodwaters and ravines. When people hold on to one another, their united strength can reach and rescue those in need. Strangers with nothing in common join together for a unified goal.

Jesus used the illustration of a vine with branches to speak about unity in Him. Jesus is the root, and even though there are many branches growing from Him, we’re all unified in him. There may be different families or denominations, but when Christ is our root, we are one, working together to reach the lost and broken. Such unity changes lives.

The early church grew quickly when the people were united in faith and a common focus on Jesus. We can change today’s world when we truly work with Christ as one body. Riptides of terrorism, floodwaters of public opinion and ditches of disasters should challenge us to work together and rescue those who need of eternal saving. In Christ we have the ability to accomplish much and make a lasting difference in our world.

One Thing Today

Reach out to someone who attends a different church and discuss your shared faith in Christ.

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