I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you [will] see Me; because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. John 14:18-20, NASB

Not too long ago, a strict devotee of the words of Jesus told me that my belief in the teaching of union in Christ was only documented in Paul's writings. Now, this hit me as a rather odd claim since my own understanding of this reality of oneness in God came through what Jesus said to his disciples in what is often called the upper-room discourse. Sure, I was familiar with the inclusion of Paul's epistles at that time of my life, but I was way more influenced by John's gospel. And that's where I was first rattled by the simplicity of a statement like, "...I am in my Father, and you in Me, and I in you". Are you kidding ... the reality of our union in Christ only taught by Paul? I'm glad to tell you that this truth came entirely from Jesus Christ!

Listen to Jesus' statement with the ears that God has opened through his spirit. Jesus is in his father, we are in Jesus, and Jesus is in us! His words culminate in John 17. Check it out.

I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. John 17:20-23, NASB

Why didn't we hear Jesus mention this amazing truth in the bulk of what he said while on earth? Simple, it wasn't yet time. But on the night before his crucifixion he declared to his followers that the time had come. He spoke to them of things so intense knowing that they wouldn't really understand them until the spirit came after going back to the father. Do you realize what this means? The reality of life in God through Christ Jesus cannot be understood by learning the words or the teachings. It takes God himself to teach us of this union. But do not despair, because that understanding has already been put within you.

Shovel Audio

Here's the latest ShovelAudio recording, and it's hot of the press! :) Accept One Another.