[Campion]

So Christ’s prayer “that they may be one, as you, Father, and I are one” (John 17) was essentially a waste of time?

[chajin]

So Christ’s prayer “that they may be one, as you, Father, and I are one” (John 17) was essentially a waste of time?

Not at all. The sheep are to be one, but they are also to be separated from the goats. In our sinful nature, we do not seem to be able to accomplish the latter without messing up the former, but the prayer is still to be fulfilled.