The Meaning of Union IV
Christian growth is all about understanding who you are – not becoming who you are. At the moment of salvation His Spirit formed a union with your spirit. Despite that truth, through the eyes of a Child or a Young Man - He can still seem distant and a distinct being from you.
We now enter the Young Man [or Woman – it is really gender neutral] stage. Remember how John describes the Young Man:
“… I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one…. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one". I John 2.12-14
Young Man emphasis is strength, knowledge of the written word and power to overcome evil. Young Man is a necessary stage, but it is just that – a “stage” not a place to remain.
You must thoroughly understand the error of seeing yourself as a participant in a self-improvement program – called Christianity – where you equate growth with gaining knowledge and becoming powerful. For a time you must think it is all “about you” – you are strong – you know the bible – you know how to fight satan – you – you – you.
But this stage must end – at the end of your rope. You’ve done that once - you stopped rationalizing, theorizing and avoiding the truth – you did exercise that mustard seed of faith and commenced your relationship with the King of the Universe.
Now, as a Young Man you will come to the end of your rope again. The Young Man will attempt to perfect his Christianity – not knowing it is already perfect. The Young Man will work very hard at Christianity and may spend many years doing just that.
NB Picture:This book is a spoof, does not exist, and if it existed it would be heresy. The picture is MC Escher's famous impossible staircase as LEGO. Artwork Chris WelchSo, what is the “plan”? The Young Man approaches Christianity as a religion – a self-improvement religion. He busies himself memorizing scripture [which is a good thing really], fighting the devil and being proud of how strong he thinks he is. The Young Man will pray “God fill this place with your Spirit” – or – “God give me the strength, or wisdom or faith or whatever – God give me something so I can do [whatever]”.
The Young Man still sees God as external – separate from himself. He thinks he must wake God up to the problems of the world. God is somewhere else [perhaps sleeping] and must be entreated to “do such and such a thing”. “Strength” is seen as a thing to be acquired – that God will give you if you ask Him properly.
The Young Man will, eventually fall flat on his face and say “it’s not working”. He will be frustrated with his inability to move forward, as he thinks he should, into Christian maturity. It is at that point that he is ripe for the next step – Fatherhood.
More on that in Part V
The Meaning of Union V
by David Heisler on Thursday, 07 April 2011 at 17:15
When I was young all I wanted to do was play football. So I did all the things I thought I needed to do to be a better football player. I saw it as a progression from “not a good football player” to someday, maybe, if I worked hard enough, to a “great football player”. I approached Christianity the same way.
I wanted to go from being a beginner to being a great Christian. So I did everything I thought I should do – and – there were many, well-intentioned, willing to pile on all the requirements.
I got a bible.
I got another bible.
I got a better bible.
I got a concordance.
I joined a church.
I joined another church.
I joined a better church.
I started reading the bible.
I listened to sermons.
I took notes.
I went to bible studies.
I taught bible studies.
I memorized scripture.
I witnessed – I actually won people to Christ.
The great misconception of Christianity is that it is “about me”. The great truth of Christianity is that “me is done” – in fact – “me is dead” – but rather – “me is alive”- actually – “but it is Christ that lives in me”.
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me…” Gal. 2.20
“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Col. 3.3
So the truth is - what part of “dead” is available for self-improvement? How is it possible to go from a “not so good Christian” to a “great Christian”? What part of “dead” is going to become a better, more devoted Christian? What part of “dead” can live an ethics – morals – values based life. No part whatsoever.
The understanding – revelation – epiphany of Fatherhood – and of true Christianity for that matter - begins when a person understands that their life is over and that it is Christ that lives His life as you. Now, I will discuss this further, later, but this does not mean you live a “dead” life. By no means! Your life will be full and vibrant with true Life.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life…” John 14.6 “Life” is not a thing to be possessed – Life is a Person – a Person that lives His life as me – quite humbling to grasp that He actually chooses to live His life as me.
When you fail at Christianity – or rather – when Christianity fails you - you commence the process of “Christ … [being] formed in you”. Gal. 4.19
More on that in Part VI
The Meaning of Union VIby David Heisler on Friday, 08 April 2011 at 13:35
The Meaning of Union VI
Having started Christianity at a relatively advanced age [18] the whole deal came flying at me very quickly. At age 19, about 13 months after my salvation, I heard my first message of “union” - Fatherhood. I had the privilege [coincidence? – mistake?] of accepting an invitation from a friend to hear an old missionary speak at All Saints Episcopal Church in Fort Worth.
At that point – in my short Christian existence – I really had heard every different take on “real” Christianity. I really don’t recall exactly what that old missionary said that day, but I knew he was on to something [understatement].
The speaker encouraged me to see myself differently. For the next seven and one-half years I said, to myself, over and over, that I, David Heisler, am the David Heisler form [expression] of Jesus Christ. I believed that to be true. But, for those seven and one-half years I really didn’t “get it”. It was initially only a concept to me – a concept I whole-heartedly accepted and wanted to know – but only, none-the-less, a concept.
In my mid-twenties I played minor league football in Racine, Wisconsin. One day, during the summer of my 26th year, I was running wind sprints along the side of Lake Michigan. I was thinking a [very “non-union”] idea that I had heard many times – that “you must die out to self”. That statement is a staple in many Christian circles. Plainly stated – “dying out to self” is a lie. It cannot happen. Even if it could, it does not need to happen. Why? Because of the very next thought I had as I was sprinting.
“I am dead”
I stopped “on a dime”. The thought “I am dead” hit me like a ton of bricks. I made that statement a thousand times since I first heard the message of Union [Fatherhood]. But this time was different.
The Meaning of Union VI
Having started Christianity at a relatively advanced age [18] the whole deal came flying at me very quickly. At age 19, about 13 months after my salvation, I heard my first message of “union” - Fatherhood. I had the privilege [coincidence? – mistake?] of accepting an invitation from a friend to hear an old missionary speak at All Saints Episcopal Church in Fort Worth.
At that point – in my short Christian existence – I really had heard every different take on “real” Christianity. I really don’t recall exactly what that old missionary said that day, but I knew he was on to something [understatement].
The speaker encouraged me to see myself differently. For the next seven and one-half years I said, to myself, over and over, that I, David Heisler, am the David Heisler form [expression] of Jesus Christ. I believed that to be true. But, for those seven and one-half years I really didn’t “get it”. It was initially only a concept to me – a concept I whole-heartedly accepted and wanted to know – but only, none-the-less, a concept.
In my mid-twenties I played minor league football in Racine, Wisconsin. One day, during the summer of my 26th year, I was running wind sprints along the side of Lake Michigan. I was thinking a [very “non-union”] idea that I had heard many times – that “you must die out to self”. That statement is a staple in many Christian circles. Plainly stated – “dying out to self” is a lie. It cannot happen. Even if it could, it does not need to happen. Why? Because of the very next thought I had as I was sprinting.
“I am dead”
I stopped “on a dime”. The thought “I am dead” hit me like a ton of bricks. I made that statement a thousand times since I first heard the message of Union [Fatherhood]. But this time was different.
I really don’t recall
exactly what that
old missionary said that day,
but I knew he was on to
something [understatement].
It stuck. I got it. The very truth that He now lived His life as me was no longer theory or a concept to me. It was no longer a statement I made. It was true. He was true. He lives His life in His David Heisler form. The chair I sat in proved it could hold me. He proved He could hold me.
Is this the end of the story? Of course not.
There will be more in Part VII
Is this the end of the story? Of course not.
There will be more in Part VII
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