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The mystery of our Divine Union
I started a series a few weeks ago and never gave it a title. After much thought I’ve decided to call it “The Mystery of our Divine Union” because it is all about our “oneness” with the Godhead. We looked at:
+ God in us
+ Us in Christ
+ Us with God
+ God with us
To end the series I would like to bring all four of these aspects together. Let’s understand exactly how this divine union works. But first, let me point out that whenever the word “mystery” appears in the New Testament is implies that it was (in the past) ‘hidden’ but has now been ‘revealed’ in Christ Jesus. Our divine union with the Godhead could never be expressed, conveyed or communicated except through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He made it possible for us to be “one” with Him, and with the Father. In John 17:16-26 the Lord prays for all believers and says:
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. 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. "Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, and to see My glory, the glory You have given Me because You loved Me before the creation of the world. "Righteous Father, though the world does not know You, I know You, and they know that You have sent Me. I have made You known to them, and will continue to make You known in order that the love You have for Me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."
Awesome! These verses of scripture describe the “divine union” between the Godhead and us better than any other passage in the whole Bible. I love reading it – time and time again! Especially where is says, “...In order that the love You have for Me may be in them and that I myself may be in them also.”
Looking at the entire 17th chapter of John we discover that there are three kinds of unity that exists between the Father and the Son, and through this three-fold “divine unity” we will get to understand the unity all believers have with the Godhead. As we grasp the mystery of “oneness” we can be enriched in every area of our lives.
1. SPIRITUAL UNITY (verses 1-5)
In verses 1-5 where Jesus prays for Himself we see that the unity that exists between the Father and the Son is a spiritual one.
• Jesus is seen looking into heaven
• Jesus is praying to the Father
• Jesus is praying all about spiritual subjects such as Eternal life; knowing God; knowing Jesus; finishing the work God gave Him to do…
2. UNITY OF TRUTH (verses 6-19)
In verses 6-19 where Jesus prays for His disciples we see that the unity that exists between the Father and the Son is one of truth.
• Your word is truth (verse 17)
• ”For I gave them the words You gave Me and they accepted them.” (verse 8)
• “I have given them Your word and the world has hated them” (verse 14)
3. UNITY OF LOVE (verses 20-26)
Finally in verses 20-26 where Jesus prays for all believers we see that the unity that exists between the Father and the Son is one of love.
• “Even as You have loved Me.” (verse 23)
• “Because You have loved Me before the creation of the world.” (verse 25)
• “The love You have for Me.” (verse 26)
So when Jesus prays for all who believe in Him, that all of them be “one”, He is praying that we would all be:
• FIRST – one in spirit
• SECOND – one in truth
• THIRD – one in love
As we engage with the Godhead we become “one” with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and in turn become “one” with each other. And the purpose of this unity is very simple...
To demonstrate God’s amazing love by…
a. Praying for other believers
If you have a hard time loving someone start praying for them…
b. Fellowshipping with other believers
“Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am.” (verse 24)
c. Ministering to other believers
“I have made You known to them, and will continue to make You known in order that the love You have for Me may be in them.” (verse 26)
In conclusion... The Blessing of that unity is that it draws unbelievers to Christ. “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me.” (John 17:23) People don’t care about what you believe. They care about how you behave. Where do you see yourself in Jesus’ prayer?
Are you one in spirit with other believers?
Are you one in truth with other believers?
Are you one in love with other believers? |
Chris Demetriou, 03/10/2010 |
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