The BattleSample

Oneness

By Amy Cook

While talking to His disciples before His death, Jesus said, “I am the Vine, you are the branches” (John 15:5a, AMP). As a believer, your mission is to be joined to the true Vine—Jesus—and to bear the fruit of His Spirit so that the world can taste and see how good God really is (Galatians 5:22–23; Psalm 34:8). But the enemy is doing everything he can to sabotage your mission so that you don’t invade his territory. He is also trying to distract you from your mission and keep you disconnected from your source of life and strength. He wants to lure you into busyness, hoping you’ll mistake productivity for fruitfulness. It is vital always to remember that the only way to bear real fruit is by becoming one with the Lord. You must both pursue God and respond to Him. Without a two-way investment, there is no oneness.

Another word for oneness is intimacy. The word intimacy literally means “into-me-see.” Many people fear intimacy with God because they perceive Him to be harsh, legalistic or vindictive. They couldn’t be more wrong. Jesus, who is always kind, loving and good, said that those who have seen Him have seen the Father. Fear of intimacy with God can be overcome by remembering two things: First, God already knows everything about you and loves you anyway; and second, God’s love is so deep that He sent His Son to remove your sin so He could enjoy intimacy with you. He’ll never do anything to violate your trust. Submitting to God’s heart surgery is much less painful than dealing with the long-term consequences of ruptured lives. Allow God to show you the debris in your heart; then be willing to cooperate with Him as He changes it.

Many soldiers in God’s army attempt to trust in God, yet they hardly know Him. You won’t have much confidence in the reliability of God’s Word—your primary weapon against the devil—until you’re first convinced that God is always truthful and can be trusted. Faith in God’s promises is linked to faith in His character.

E.W. Kenyon once said, “Fellowship is the parent of real faith. If you find someone whose faith is weak, you may know that his fellowship has been broken, or is of a low type.” If you feel like your faith is weak today, don’t let the enemy make you feel condemned keeping you at arm’s length from your loving heavenly Father. God doesn’t condemn you for your failings. He wants to work through them so they don’t drive a wedge between you and Him. No person ever walks in 100% intimacy with God, because there is always more of Him to be discovered and enjoyed.

God doesn’t want you to legalistically punch a time card with Him like a bored employee. He wants you to experience the joy that David described in Psalm 16:11 (NKJV): “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” He is longing to be your intimate Friend, and He is patiently waiting for you to pursue a deeper relationship with Him. Talk to God daily about everything you’re going through, and notice how His hand influences your daily life and the lives of those around you.

Memory Verse

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5