Question: Does “complete unity” in John 17:23 mean unity on the essentials, such as the Trinity, ...

Question: Does “complete unity” in John:17:23I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
See All... mean unity on the essentials, such as the Trinity, Salvation by Grace Alone, and the Resurrection of Jesus? Or does it speak of unity on “nonessentials” also?

Response: John:17:23I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
See All... reads, “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”

The comparison is that as Jesus is in them and as the Father is in Him, so “they may be made perfect in one.” This clearly involves more than an agreement on “essentials.” Rather, it speaks of a progressive unity that may be reached only when we leave this world (through death or the Rapture). This is the same agreement that the Son has with the Father. In 1 John:3:2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
See All..., we are told, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”

Of that event, 1 Corinthians:15:52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
See All... says, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

We shall be changed, and in that changing, we will move beyond the limitations of our life influenced by the “flesh.” The prayer of Jesus will be answered fully in that we shall one day have perfect agreement and unity with every member of the Body of Christ. In the meantime our focus remains on our responsibility: “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph:4:3Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
See All...).