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Day 118: Oneness (SoS 2:16)

 My beloved is mine, and I am his. He feeds his flock among the lilies. (Song of Solomon 2:16)

After the Beloved finished his request for the Bride to come away by showing her the signs of the harvest, He spoke tenderly to her to come out of hiding and catch the foxes destroying the fruits of love. The Bride replies here with a beautiful statement: My Beloved is mine and I am his.

Every encounter with God should and is designed to leave us with a revelation. It is the revelation of God and the truths of scripture that transform us, shape our lives and determine our experiences in life.

The last revelation of Christ received was of Him as the Triumphant King leaping over hills and mountains. To do what was requested of her (to go over hills and mountains), she needed another revelation. A revelation of shared ownership and unconditional commitment. That her beloved belongs to her and and her to him. 

God in many passages of the Bible called Israel His people and Himself their God. His purpose was to communicate His affection and commitment to them by doing so. Israel used the same language as well because they knew that their relationship with God was more than mere affection. It was the result of a covenant God cut with their ancestor: Abraham. 

Let's see this in light of the New Testament:

First, when we look at this in the concept of marriage, 1 Corinthians 7:4 comes to mind:

 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 

The only institution used to represent the Church and Christ is marriage. Paul in Romans 7:1-6 compared us to a widow who is free to marry again. He said when we accept Jesus, we die to sin and the law so we can be joined to Christ and His Spirit.

We are called the Bride of Christ and He is our Beloved. As individual Christians, we must see our relationship with Jesus in this light. We must carry that consciousness that Christ belongs to us, and more importantly that we belong to Him.

Just as it is said in the scriptures that a man and woman become one flesh in sexual intimacy, 1 Corinthians 6:17 says:

 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 

Our union with Christ makes us one Spirit with Him.

The Pauline Epistles emphasize our union with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. It is what is called identification. Jesus was not just a substitute who died for our sins, we were forever joined with Him. He identified with us in our sin, punishment and death and we identified with Him in His righteousness, blessings and resurrection life.

Paul explained identification very well in Romans 6:1-11. He said that when we are baptised into Christ (when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior), we are baptised into His death. Our baptism into His death gives us access to being raised from the dead with him. Ephesians 2 communicates the same idea of oneness. 

In Galatians 2:20 Paul said:

 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 

Jesus thinks the same of us. When He appeared to Paul on his way to Damascus He said to him in Acts 9:4:

 ...“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 

There are so many statements in the Bible that prove our oneness with Christ. However, until it becomes a reality to us it's mere information. We must receive a revelation if it. Only then will we enjoy the benefits of this union.

And just like in a marriage relationship there are requirements from both the husband and wife. This oneness also has requirements. There is what is expected of Christ and what is expected of us. We'll look at that in the next lesson.

PRAY WITH ME:

My Beloved Jesus, what a privilege it is to say that You are mine and I am Yours. Grant me understanding and revelation of this truth so that I may live my life accordingly. Amen.

REFLECT & ACT:

  • Have you received a revelation of your oneness with Christ? What does it mean to you?
  • Meditate today on 2 Corinthians 5:17:

 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 

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