Jesus spoke of the perfection of the oneness to which we have been called: Notice, in the following verse, that this oneness is the product of the love of God:

I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (John 17:23)

John 17:21-23 presents a concept that nearly is incredible. It is difficult to grasp the full meaning of these statements.

The idea that we saints are to be one in the Father and the Son as Christ and the Father are One points toward a future of marvelous glory. God is calling us to be one with Himself through Christ.

To what extent are Christ and the Father One? Christ and the Father are One to a degree that results in eternal loss of individuality, not loss of identity or uniqueness but loss of individuality. We cannot conceive of the Father without the Son. We cannot conceive of the Son without the Father. They are One to an extent human marriage cannot attain.

This is the Oneness to which we have been called. The Divine Oneness permits no holding back, no preservation of self-centeredness. It requires total giving and receiving.

It is amazing that the God of Heaven would offer Himself to us after this fashion. It is even more amazing that we turn away from union with God, preferring to make agreements with God in which we do some things for God and expect some favors in return. "Volleyball" religion is advocated in many churches, but God wants us "on the same side of the net" as Himself.

God is seeking a Bride, not people who play their games with Him. God desires those who will give themselves to Him without reservation, receiving in return His Fullness. They will be an eternally inseparable part of God. It no longer will be possible to conceive of them apart from God or God apart from them. They have become one with God through Christ.

God will inscribe His name on them because they have become part of Himself. The creation will bear witness that they are of God, of the holy city of God, of the Lamb of God. Here is the only possible satisfaction of God's fiery love toward them.

Man is to be fruitful—multiplying and filling the earth with people. Christian fruitfulness is the multiplying of Christ in people.

My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, (Galatians 4:19)

Christ has chosen and ordained us that we should go and bring forth fruit, that is, that we should bring forth His Life in ourselves and in others. We cannot do this by our wisdom or talents just as a human mother cannot bring forth children by her wisdom or talents. It is only through our abiding in Him, our complete union with Him, that we bear fruit.

To be continued.