There are various levels of understanding and experience that take us deeper into what it means to be in unity, union, and ultimately, oneness with God. In earlier teachings, unity was often understood in terms of shared beliefs. If people agreed on doctrines or beliefs, they were considered to be in unity. However, this kind of unity was superficial because it excluded others who did not share the same beliefs. In reality, true unity has little to do with agreement on beliefs.
Unity Based on Beliefs vs. True Union
Union, on the other hand, is about a deeper relational connection. It’s similar to the union between husband and wife, where two people come together in an intimate relationship that goes beyond mere agreement. Union is more about connection and relational closeness than about aligning beliefs. It involves a joining together at a deeper level, reflecting a more intimate connection than unity of the mind or beliefs alone.
However, there is an even deeper level: **oneness**. When we enter oneness, there is no separation between us and God. This doesn’t mean we become God, but we become one with Him in spirit. In this state of oneness, we have access to His heart, His mind, and there is a profound connection that transcends separation. While we remain distinct, oneness allows us to experience God’s presence and intimacy in a way that feels inseparable.
Union and Oneness: A Personal Journey
My personal journey involved discovering what it means to be in oneness with God. It was not just a theological understanding but an experiential one. The feeling of oneness was different from the experience of union, where intimacy was deep, but there was still a sense of individuality. In oneness, I felt an abiding presence in God that made it impossible to feel separate from Him. It became clear that this relationship was not about doing or achieving, but about realizing and experiencing what was always true—that I am made in His image and likeness, and that this reality transcends any works or protocols.
We are all on a journey to discover who we truly are as sons and daughters of God. Being made in His image and likeness means more than we often understand. It means that our very essence reflects His original intention for us. As we go deeper into this relationship, our DNA is transformed, and we are restored to God’s original purpose.
Experiencing Truth Beyond Protocols
In the past, much of the spiritual journey was about protocols—if you do this or that, you would get closer to God. There were steps to follow: salvation, baptism, receiving the Spirit, and so on, which often felt like climbing a ladder. However, the deeper understanding is that we don’t need to earn or work for these experiences. The truth has always been there; we just need to have it revealed to us. Once it is unveiled, we come into agreement with it, realizing that God has always seen us this way.
Evangelical Christianity has often taught that God’s view of humanity changed after the Fall, but in reality, **God never changed His view of us**—we changed our view of ourselves. His thoughts towards us have always been rooted in love and truth, and He is revealing this so we can see ourselves as He does.
Agreeing with God’s Reality
This process of revelation is about agreeing with God’s perspective. It’s not about reconciling our limited human thinking with God’s, but about transforming our thinking to align with His. This transformation is key to entering into the reality of who we truly are. It’s not about doing works or following steps to ascend spiritually. Instead, it’s about embracing the truth that has always been there and allowing it to transform us.
Ultimately, this journey is about living in a relational reality with God that unveils the depth of who we are. It’s not about striving or achieving through works but about receiving the revelation of our identity in God and living in agreement with that truth.