Who Is God ? (Continues) Paul also wrote in another context, “For this reason I kneel before the Father from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name” (Ephesians 3:14-15, NIV). Although there is only one family, there are many members. Truly converted Christians, led by God’s Spirit, are already counted as members of the family (Romans 8:14; 1 John 3:1-2), even though they have not yet received glorification and immortality in the resurrection to eternal life,which will take place at Christ’s return (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Elsewhere Paul tells us that “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 15:50). We must be changed at the time of the resurrection(verses 51-54; Philippians 3:20-21). God will accomplish that in due course—provided we have overcome and developed righteous, godly character (Revelation 2:26; 3:21; 21:7-8). One Church, one God In John 17 Jesus prayed to the Father, “And this is eternal life, that they [Christ’s disciples] may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (verse 3). Jesus thus distinguishes between God the Father and Himself. They are not the same being. Nevertheless, They share perfect union and oneness. Continuing in this incredible prayer spoken shortly before His crucifixion, Christ said regarding His followers, “Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one” (verse 11, NRSV). Earlier He had said, “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30). You need to grasp this enormously important point. The Church is to be one just as God the Father and Jesus Christ are one. That’s quite a tall order! The various members should be unified with each other just as Christ and the Father are in perfect union. Although we have to realistically admit that this has rarely been the case in church history, God expects us to strive for that spiritual unity. The members of the true Church of God are all to be joined together by the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 12:13)—living by that Spirit. It is every individual’s responsibility to seek out the organized fellowship that best represents the biblical model of the New Testament Church.We see, then, that the Father and Jesus Christ are also one in the same sense that Jesus prayed for the Church to be one—one in purpose, belief, direction, faith, spirit and attitude—joined together by the Holy Spirit. Consider the additional insight Jesus gives us in His prayer in John 17: “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one” (verses 20-23).This spiritual oneness, this unity between and among all truly converted Christians, can be accomplished only through God’s Spirit working in them. Their unity through the Holy Spirit should reflect the perfect unity—the oneness —of God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son Amen
Posted on: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 03:33:07 +0000
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