Living Lessons in Intimacy With Christ, my new devotional, is nearing completion. (Now published) I hope to have it ready by early summer. Now and then I will put out a “teaser” such as this one from the chapter on Grace and Union.
“He who has joined himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him.” 1 Corinthians 6:17
Because of what He did on the Cross, Jesus did more than save us from sin and make us a new creation—He actually joined Himself to us. We are one with Him. There is no separation between us. Living in “no separation” is a life-changing way to live. The opposite—separation—is defeating and exhausting.
When we live as if Jesus were up in Heaven while we are down here on Earth, we struggle and strive to make things true that are already true. We try to get love through:
- relationships with others
- accomplishments and success
- material goods
How can I be one with Him and still be me?
The truth is: we are already loved, we are complete and provided for. Often we try to change our bad habits in our own strength when Jesus has said we have to let Him live the Christian life. We carry burdens and worries that we have to fix things and make things happen when Jesus tells us to rest. Being joined to the Lord as one is a mystery and difficult to put into words. How I can be one with Him and still be “me?”
Let’s look at an example from one of my mentors, Laurie Hills:
Picture your hands with one hand palm forward and the back of the other hand, as a fist, in your palm. The hand that is a fist can turn in towards the first (Christ) or out to the world when drawn away by temptation or pain that causes us to forget who we are, but the fist is still inside the hand.
Laurie’s hand and fist illustration is part of what we have already looked at in the question, “Why do I still sin?” When we turn away from the union with Christ and focus on the flesh or the world, there is no condemnation. We need only to confess our failure and turn back in to the Spirit.
Application: Being one with the Lord is a foundational truth that will change your life in many ways.[1] Consider this great truth that you are one with the God of the universe, that He loves you so much that He is joined to you. Don’t give up until you know it for yourself.
[1] For more details about our union with Christ, see Dan Stone & Greg Smith, The Rest of the Gospel, When the partial Gospel has worn you out, One Press, Dallas, TX
Just this morning, I’m thinking, I am so desperate for a new devotional! I can’t wait for the release of “Living Lessons on Intimacy With Christ!” Your excerpt is outstanding! 🙂
I hope it is ready pretty soon. Your comments always encourage me. Barbara
As yours do me! 🙂