IS IT REALLY POSSIBLE TO BE ONE WITH GOD?

When you heard the invitation to accept Jesus to be your Savior did you understand fully why you needed Him and what your new reality would be once you made that decision?

You possibly heard that you’re a sinner and when you die you will be thrown into the pit of hell and live forever separated from God. You knew that you needed your sins forgiven so that you could one day go to heaven and live eternally with God. So you made that decision of faith and your name was written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

That is my story. I was at a revival as a youth, and felt compelled to walk the aisle when the invitation was given. I knew I was desperate for Jesus, but I was really clueless of the magnitude of that decision I made.

A few years ago I was introduced to a book that is biblically based and a beautiful, simple, clear picture of why we all need Jesus to begin with and the plethora of truth that becomes our reality the instant we respond to His invitation.

PART 1: IF JESUS LOVES ME WHY ISN'T THIS WORKING?

I will be walking through If Jesus Loves Me Why Isn’t this Working? by David Gregory in a series of posts. If you have never read this book, I would encourage you to get a copy. You may want to buy 2 and give one away to someone who is desperately searching for how to make the Christian life work for them.

The back of the book is a great teaser:

“Dylan Cooke is living a typical Christian life – stressed, discouraged, wondering where God is. Until one day he starts receiving letters that show him a life unlike any he has experienced. Or even heard of. Could they really be from Jesus?”

The 22 lessons Dylan learned are spelled out in the majority of the book, written in first person from God. His lessons are for all of us, and absolutely nothing new. The truths have been in God's Word from the beginning. 

It is a very quick read because the text is only on the right side. The left side is the supporting scriptures. (HINT: It is difficult to read the book in digital format.)

This post will address the first 5 lessons which lay the groundwork for the rest.

LESSON 1: CREATED FOR LOVE 

The first lesson starts at the beginning with an introduction to I Am That I AM.

Dylan learns why God, who is Love, created us. “In love I created you. In love I sustain you. In love I have done everything needed to make that a reality – at a very great cost to myself.” (1 John 4:10)

LESSON 2: CREATED FOR ONENESS

The 2^nd lesson focuses on the reality of John 17:21 and 23, “. . .that they may all be one (with us), just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us . . . I in them and you in me . . .”

Dylan also learned from the letter that being one with the trinity means:

• “...your human spirit is actually joined to me, becoming so united that we are one.”
• “Once you are united to me, my life is actually infused into you.”
• “You were made to be joined to me, so that I live my perfect, loving life through you. You become the expression of me to all the universe.”

This lesson concludes with the reminder that this oneness with the trinity is a gift. Our part is to make a decision to receive it.

LESSON 3: TO MAKE US ONE I TAKE AWAY WHAT SEPARATES US

This lesson is based on the very familiar Romans 3:23 “. . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

It is sin that separates us from God and that sin must be dealt with justly. Which is why the letter reads, “God the Father sent me, Jesus Christ to earth: to die on a cross, to pay the penalty for the sins of all humanity, so that your slate could be wiped clean. . . On the cross I became sin itself. I was separated from the Father. I took on myself the penalty I did not owe, so that you would not have to.” 

This sacrifice is what made forgiveness possible for us. It’s the first step in reuniting us with God.

LESSON 4: TO MAKE US ONE, I GIVE YOU A HEART TRANSPLANT

The 4^th lesson addresses the fact that we are all born with a “rebel heart, committed to its own way”. Dylan reads, “every person is born with a spirit dead to me, cut off from my life and unresponsive to me.” 

This rebel heart is a major issue because it has no life. “The only solution is for me to give you a heart transplant. And that is exactly what I do. I remove your old, sinful heart . . . and give you an entirely new heart.” You can read about that promise in Ezekiel 36:26. 

The lesson ends with: “So forgiving your sins, removing your old heart, and giving you a new heart are necessary steps. But they are merely steps. They are not themselves the ultimate goal.” (Remember the ultimate goal is to be reunited with God; to be one with Him.)

LESSON 5: TO MAKE US ONE, I JOIN MYSELF TO YOU FOREVER

In 1 Corinthians 6:17 it is very clear that “the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him.” 

This lesson reminds us that making us one with God is entirely HIS work. We can’t possibly make it happen on our own. It’s a free gift that we have the opportunity to receive. 

Looking at John 3:16 that we all have memorized, it all comes down to receiving eternal life by placing our faith in Jesus.

In summary of what happens to us when we make that faith decision, Dylan learns, “When you do choose to place your trust in me, everything we have discussed so far becomes true for you."

• "Your sins are forgiven.
• My Spirit does a heart transplant in you. 
• The Father, Son, and Spirit come to live within you.
• You are forever joined to us"

"For the first time in your life, you begin to be what you were created to be."

"YOU AND WE ARE ONE!"

In subsequent posts, we’ll look at what is true of us as believers because we are one with God.

YOUR TURN

How did God capture your heart and draw you to Him so that you would say yes to His invitation to be reunited with Him - to be one with Him?

PARENT'S CORNER

If your child has already accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior they are permanently in union with Him. How incredible is that? Although it is a reality, it might be difficult to teach what that union looks like.

Check out “Joined to God”, a Family Faith Talk that uses the children’s book Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni, to illustrate God’s union.