Oneness With God

The Ten Commandments came from God through Moses, a set of rules that kept the sons of Israel one people for roughly 4000 years. But human intervention complicated the simplicity: Mosaic Law numbered over 600 with additional rabbinic laws filling volumes.

Only the best could keep all the Law; everyone else was deemed unholy. It takes devotion, study, and self sacrifice to appear perfect. Keeping yourself pure requires separation. Ultimately, it obligates one to scorn the masses who can’t.

Today’s churches are filled with good people keeping “the law”. They dress and speak correctly. They know when to stand or sit. They follow every “thou shalt not” set down by God and man. Outsiders have trouble understanding most of the rituals. Communication is lost. A rift separates the “insiders” from the “outcast”.

But Jesus would take us down a peg. He proclaimed hate held in our hearts is enough to send us to hell.[1] Our silent, sinful thoughts are an affront to the Creator. No amount of outward goodness will cover sin within. To enter heaven, we must exceed the righteousness of those who keep the law religiously[2].

Jesus simplified the Laws for our sake, distilling them into two[3]. 1) Love the Creator above all of the creation. 2) Love humans equally to yourself. Love is the answer. Love is better than following rules perfectly. Love is better than power, wealth, and heath. Love is everlasting life. Only love transcends death because God is love[4].

Unification in love was Jesus’ last prayer for his followers.[5] This is the closest we can get in this life to the Oneness of God. We must not let our style of worship or elaborate traditions keep us apart. It is not “us against them”. It is God for all. We are called to lift up our brethren and to share that love with those who are searching. We must care for those who are not searching in hopes that one day they may do so.

God’s love is not easy. It means you must learn to love and care for people your society hates and rejects. It requires sacrificing all the repulsion you were taught as children for the sake of your enemy’s well being.[6] How do you react when you see one of “them”? How do you react to your own reaction? Remember, God loves “them”. So should you.

Following Jesus binds us together with love. The more we are with Him, the more we know Him. To know Jesus is to know God; they are the same. Knowing the only true God is eternal life.[7] We are then one with the Creator of the universe, in this life and the next.

Nothing but your rejection of God will separate you from the love of your Creator[8]. The full love of the Creator is within you, and He wants you to be with Him forever. This is the Good News brought by Jesus. This is the message God gives you today.

[1] Matthew 5:21-22

[2] Matthew 5:20

[3] Matthew 22:37-40, Leviticus 19:17-18

[4] 1 John 4:8, 16

[5] John 15:12-17

[6] Matthew 5:43-48

[7] John 17:3

[8] Romans 8:39