All for One and One for All: Why Unity Matters.

John 17:21. First of all, in this context, Oneness is not Singleness, is Likeness. Jesus and the Father are one, but at the same time they are two distinct Persons. In His prayer, Jesus asks the Father that He would bring unity among His children, that the Father would make us like-minded toward one another. Romans 15:5; Philippians 2:2. Here is where, as the motorcyclist use to say, "the meat rubs the road" (man it hurts). Why? Because it's not only agreeing on something, having the same desires, working toward the same goals, etc. Biblical Like-mindedness, according to Paul, is to have the mind of Christ: 1 Corinthians 2:16. Is it possible to have the mind of Christ? Well, if we all die to ourselves and allow Christ to live and reign in us, we will be successful, we will fulfill our calling, that is, to be the body of Christ. Think about this: What if the members of your body decide to be selfish and do their own thing? What a mess you will be! Unfortunately, that's the way we are doing most the time. When we are not divided, we are doing something to please God without even knowing or asking Him if what we're doing is what He wants us to do. We need to be transformed, not the external appearance, but the internal renewal. That's the only way we will prove (experience) the Will of God. Romans 12:2. So, why unity matters? Because that's the Will of God, that we would be a fully functional body.