What Does It Take to Be Spiritually One

"I [Jesus] 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, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me." - John 17:20-23

As Christians there are a number of ways that we are one. Since the day we were born again by faith we have been indwelled by the Spirit of God. Therefore, we can by one with God and Jesus as Jesus prayed in John 17. As Christians, indwelled by the Spirit, we can be one with other Christians.

"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in [by faith] Christ Jesus." - Galatians 3:27-28

As Christians, indwelled by the Spirit, God intended that we be one with our spouses. An important point is that God declared that before Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden. 

"Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." - Genesis 2:24

Since the root of being one is our relationship with God then it is impossible to be one with others apart from first being one with God. Remember the greatest commandment is to love God with the entirety of our being. Then we have the capacity to love others.  Of course, the precondition to be one with other people, including our spouses is that they are Christians. 

"Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?" - 2 Corinthians 6:14

When we are one by the Spirit of God then we are fulfilling the will of God. If your relationship is dependent upon the flesh and the best it can conjure up which is a temporary oneness dependent upon human will then we are not one as God intended. Pretty simple in concept but not so simple in practice.

Consider, if being one is God's intent and it is only achievable by faith, then how is it that Christians can be divided? Why do Christian marriages fail? Yup - you know - it is called sin.  The key to being one with other people is to first be one with God. Both you and them. That makes it possible. The next condition is that your hearts must be right - submitted to the Spirit and not submitted to sin.    

"that the world may know that You [God the Father] have sent Me [Jesus], and have loved them as You have loved Me." - John 17:23

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone