Living Lessons on Setting the Mindনমুনা

Because of what He did on the Cross, Jesus did more than save us from sin and make us a new creation—He actually joined Himself to us.  We are one spirit with Him. There is no separation between us.  

Living in “no separation” is a life-changing way to live. The opposite—separation—is defeating and exhausting. When we live as if Jesus were up in Heaven while we are down here on Earth, we struggle and strive to make things true that are already true. 

Separation Thinking: We try to get love through relationships with others, through accomplishments and success, and through material goods. We try to change our bad habits in our own strength. We carry burdens and worry that we have to fix things and make things happen.

One Spirit Thinking: We are already loved; we are complete and provided for. We let Jesus live the Christian life through us. Jesus tells us to rest and trust Him.

Being joined to the Lord as one is a mystery and difficult to put into words. You may ask, “How I can be one with Him and still be ‘me’?” Let’s look at an example from one of my mentors, Laurie Hills:*

Picture your hands with one hand palm forward and the back of the other hand, as a fist, in your palm. The fisted hand can turn in towards the other hand (representing Christ) or facing out (representing the world). When we face temptation or pain, we are drawn out, causing us to temporarily forget who we are in Christ. We have only to turn to see that the fist is still inside the hand (Christ). 

Laurie’s hand and fist illustration is part of what we have already looked at in the question, “Why do I still sin?” When we turn away from who we are in Christ, and focus on the flesh or the world, there is no condemnation. We need only to confess our failure and turn back in to the Spirit.

Application:

Where have you been caught up in separation thinking? Take some time to meditate on the truths of one Spirit thinking today.

* Laurie Hills travelled and spoke for many years. This is from one of the times I heard her in person.