What does heaven on earth look like? Oneness with God is a recurrent theme, especially in the epistles of Paul. It has gotten a bad rap in some circles because oneness is a major theme in the New Age. It is helpful to remember that where there is a counterfeit, there is always the real deal worth counterfeiting.
God One with Us
God is all about being one with His creation, because He is an intrinsically relational God first and foremost. He is Love (2 John 4:8, 16). Eternities before the beginning of time, Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit were in the ecstatic union of other-giving Love. They were, are and will eternally be One (Deuteronomy 6:4, John 1:1-2, John 10:30, Proverbs 8:22-23, 30)! Love was so impassioned, They exploded in a race of children – sons and daughters created in Their own image and likeness (Genesis 1:26). God is so passionate for His kids, He chose them, joining them to Himself before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4, 2 Thessalonians 2:13). Oneness is HUGE!
It is helpful to remember that where there is a counterfeit, there is always the real deal worth counterfeiting.
The Lie of Separation
At the fall of humankind, the delusion of separation from God – our union with Him is the foundation of sin and death that plagues humankind. We usually have no problem being settled in the union of the Godhead. But our union with the Father by our union with Christ through Holy Spirit is an overarching truth that we struggle to fully be persuaded and settled in.
Let’s unpack the glorious truth of our oneness with God and one another!
Joined to God Before the Foundation of the World
First of all, the truth is that we were joined to Christ by God before the foundation of the world. Ephesians 1:4 (TPT) says:
4 And he chose us to be his very own, joining us to himself even before he laid the foundation of the universe![a] Because of his great love, he ordained[b] us, so that we would be seen as holy in his eyes with an unstained innocence.
Moreover, 2 Thessalonians 2:13 (TPT) reiterates:
13 We always have to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, for you are dearly loved by the Lord. He proved it by choosing you from the beginning for salvation[a]through the Spirit, who set you apart for holiness, and through your belief in the truth.[b]
And to seal the deal, check out 2 Timothy 1:9 (TPT)
9 He gave us resurrection life[a] and drew us to himself by his holy calling on our lives. And it wasn’t because of any good we have done, but by his divine pleasure and marvelous grace that confirmed our union with the anointed Jesus, even before time began!
God was taking no chances with His beloved kids – He was taking no chances with YOU! We didn’t choose Him, He chose us (John 15:16).
Jesus Prayed for Our Union
In John 17: 20 – 23 (KJV) Jesus prayed for His disciples and US:
20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who [j]will believe in Me through their word; 21 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. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
Christ is in us and Father is in Christ. His objective is that we may be made perfect in oneness and that the world may know 2 things:
- that Father sent the Son in the flesh
- that Father God loves us as much as he loves Jesus!
In the Family
The union of the Trinity is all about family. The work of the cross created a race of children: destined, called, justified, and glorified to partake of the divine nature and take our place as a vast family of brothers and sisters looking just like Jesus (Romans 8:29-30, 2 Peter 1:4, 1 John 4:17)! Romans 8:29-30 (TPT) says:
29 For he knew all about us before we were born and he destined us[a] from the beginning to share the likeness of his Son. This means the Son is the oldest among a vast family of brothers and sisters who will become just like him.30 Having determined our destiny ahead of time, he called us to himself and transferred his perfect righteousness to everyone he called. And those who possess his perfect righteousness he co-glorified with his Son!
One with One Another
Our glorification, the ultimate goal of the cross, is so that we will assume our place in the eternal family – the place of oneness. John 17:22 (TPT) speaks not only of our union God, but out oneness with one another:
 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one
Oneness from God and one another is heaven on earth!
Everything flows through our union!Â
This is how:
We bear fruit and do his commandment of love. (John 15: 1,5,9, 12,14)
We access His grace. (1 Corinthians 1:4)
We experience His comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:5)
We receive His strength. (2 Corinthians 1:21, 2 Timothy 2:1, Ephesians 6:10)
And where we are to speak from. (2 Corinthians 2:17)
We access His presence and confidence and peace. (2 Corinthians 3:3-5, 1 Peter 5:14)
Where our righteousness comes from. (Romans 8:1, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Colossians 2:11, Galatians 2:17)
We are empowered to live a new life. (Galatians 2:20, 1 John 3:5)
We all become united as His body. (Galatians 3:28-29)
We are adopted as children & claimed as His inheritance. (Ephesians 1:5-6, 11)
We became new & have direct access to the spiritual realm. (Ephesians 2:5, 13, 18)
We become co-heirs & members of His body. (Ephesians 3:6)
Transformation happens as we embrace this reality. (Ephesians 4:24)
We live as children flooded with light. (Ephesians 5:8)
And where joy overflows. (Philippians 4:4)
We share in resurrection life. (1 Thessalonians 5:10)
We fulfill our destiny and please God. (Hebrews 13:21)
I am sure this list is just scratching the surface! But even so, wow! Trust Holy Spirit to help you grapple with the enormity of union with God. I trust this ministered to you! Let me know how this is impacting you!
XO,
Catherine
