I Have Given Them the Glory: Thoughts on Christian Unity

by Jim Wilson, Lisa Just

"The unity of the Body is one of the most forceful apologetics for the divinity of Christ. Conversely, disunity is Satan’s most successful tool." - Otto HelwegGod’s glory in us is the basic provision for Christian unity. “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17:20-23).There are many temptations to disunity within Christianity—denominational splits, following particular pastors or authors, theological differences—the list goes on. The church of Jesus Christ started in glory, unity, and prayer (see Acts 1). In the last three centuries, there have been hints of unity in different parts of the world. This unity has been manifested in four different praying for each other, preaching the gospel together, singing together, and doing humanitarian work. The primary assumption in this book is the authority and inspiration of the Scriptures. There are promises, prayers, and commands in the New Testament concerning the church’s unity in Christ. The Christian church is made up of individual members of the body of Christ. This book is written to those individuals. The church as a whole cannot obey God. Only the parts can.

118 pages, Paperback

Published February 28, 2018

About the author

Jim Wilson has worked as a pastor and director of Community Christian Ministries (Moscow, Idaho) for over forty years. Before that, he served in the Navy as an officer for nine years and then with Officer's Christian Fellowship for another twelve years. Jim has authored a number of books, including How to Be Free from Bitterness, and is well-known for his practical Bible teaching on relationships and evangelism. He was married to his wife, Bessie, from 1952 until her death in 2010, and is the father of four, grandfather of fifteen (one of whom is in heaven), and great-grandfather of twenty-five and counting.

Reviews

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christian unity is one of those things that everyone wants to believe they strive for, but seem to not really care too much when it is absent. For books like these on Christian unity, they aren’t the sexy theological topic that everyone is talking about like Christian Nationalism, natural law, apologetic method or arguments over Credobaptism vs Paedobaptism, but Christian unity still deserves stage time.

Wilson in this shorter work fleshes that out in some real practical ways. It doesn’t look like holding hands and calling each other brother/sister whenever you see them, but it could. It isn’t about agreeing on every point of doctrine, but it would be nice. A good litmus test for Christian unity might be the unity we see in the trinity; not a amalgamation of all things, but a shared goal supplanted by a unified belief that looks like boots on the ground walking in tandem. The individuals are apparent to all, yet the movements are so synchronized that there is no doubt they are from the same team. Wilson doesn’t abuse metaphors like I do, but his book is good and worthwhile - just be prepared for a lot of repetition and rabbit trails.

[Christopher Odudu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly convicting book on what it means to be in Christ and a part of His body. A must-read for all Christians for personal examination and examining their local assembly.