Let's consider the purposes of God. Nothing is more serious than our Lord's prayer in John 17. We pay special attention to the words spoken by a person before his or her death. True?

One of the main themes is Jesus' desire or "eternal purpose" that his church be unified:

John 17:10-11  All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one.

John 17:22-23  I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 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.

Could words be plainer? There is but one church. We are either in it or not in it. The only US and THEM in view in this mighty prayer are the SAVED and the LOST.

Wherever Christians are to be found, all other Christians should be welcome. Regardless of the setting or the location.

Shame on us for not getting it. Shame on me for not getting it.