We, as Christians, must ask ourselves some questions--what is my purpose in this church? Why am I here? As a church, we are not to just be conservative and moralists. We are to be a refuge and shelter for others. Each of us interact with ourselves, with other believers, and with the world around us. As we are bound together with Christ, we are now to bind ourselves to the church body as well to protect each other. We are each partly responsible for the spiritual welfare of the others in our church body. An isolated faith is like dead faith. God is our Father, so we are all of the same family. This should thrust us toward oneness and union with the body. Joy is the result of oneness--this is Christ’s purpose in what He prays in John 17. Am I a means of joy to those around me? Openness and vulnerability are keys to joy. Jesus also prays that we are kept from the evil one, not that we are taken out of the world. We are not to disengage ourselves from the world, but to meet the world with our imperfections. We are to go out and be the salt and light of the world. But we are also not to be conformed to this world. Jesus prays that we be set apart, just like He set Himself apart. The purpose of our unity as a church and with God is so that the world may believe in Jesus. Our lives and love for each other are to be a representative of the love of God. We are to do away with biases and be brought into oneness in heart and desire. Unity is promoted by humble service. Commitment to each other and having preference for others first is not easy, which is why Jesus prays for us. Unity with Christ, with each other, and with the world will show the world the love of Christ.