John 17:20-26 English Standard Version
20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just 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 have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
Our High Priest did not forget to include us. Everyone who will come to believe by faith in Jesus Christ from His resurrection until the end of the church age is included.
I understand that being one of millions does not make the individual feel special but my experience says He loves me as if I were the only believer.
To be loved in the same way that God the Father loved the Son is the promise and that sounds impossible from a human perspective, but He is God and all things are possible with Him.
Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
The real miracle is being loved perfectly since we are so imperfect. We do not have to be perfect to be loved perfectly. There are two distinct aspects of His abiding presence that are at work in us. His Word and His Love.
To know the truth and to know His love are everything in preparing us for our Lord.
Being human, being people with a past, the move towards feeling accepted is difficult and we should not make light of our need to move from guilt ridden to loving Him faithfully.
Yes God could perfect us instantly but seeking that leaves those that need our witness, our love and knowledge without the help that God planned for His chosen people to reach all of those who have not yet come to Him by faith. Thinking only of our own salvation is selfish.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.