The NIV study notes say the unity of believers should have an effect on outsiders, to convince them of the mission of Christ. Jesus' prayer is a rebuke of the groundless and often bitter division among believers.
I understand this to mean we should be a spiritual team player and not an individual player. A team player is one who is willing to work cooperatively with others vs an individual who is a separate entity, distinct from the others in the group. A team spirit is having an enthusiastic attitude towards working productively with a team vs an individual spirit who's enthusiastic attitude is only for how well they do.
The Boston Red Sox (a team) are in the playoff season right now. News broadcasters from all over New England are stationed at Fenway, people have been camping overnight on the side walks in order to get tickets to the game against the LA Angels. Who is going to win the first series? Boston or LA?
Excitement continues to build up, fans are fired up, they can't contain themselves and are talking about these games with everyone and anyone that will listen, there is the special wave in the stadium, special cheers go around, posters are held up and red and white colors are worn. Red Sox nation is off and running with the Go, fight and win attitude and everyone is united for the common goal.
Wouldn't it be awesome if we could generate that kind of excitement for Jesus? Uniting together as a team for the common goal of delighting God?
Letting the world know that God sent his son for us?
God calls us to have an effect on outsiders by showing them how we live our lives. The outsiders watch us. They watch how we encourage those who need encouragement, how we will walk with people who need walking with and how we love each other as God loves us.
We, as Christians, have been drafted for God's team. Let's play as a team and be one, just as God is in us and we are in him.
Nancy