The Meaning of Union
by David Heisler
In
Christian circles “union” is used, but what does it mean?
“Union”
expresses a “right now” reality for all who believe in Jesus. We all have
“union” or are “in union” with God. But we may not know it - yet.
The idea
of not “knowing” your union and then moving toward that inner knowing is what I
am talking about. The discussion must start with how you perceive yourself at
this moment. That might be the key to how you perceive yourself tomorrow. There
are three very distinct perceptions. The best scriptural reference I know, and,
refer to often, is found in 1 John 2:12-13:
“I write unto you, little children, because
your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. I write unto you, fathers,
because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young
men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little
children, because ye have known the Father.“
John
refers to three categories: Children, Young Men and Fathers. To be clear there
are not three categories of believers. In fact, the reality is that we are all
Fathers – we just don’t all know it. But when we do, we know our “union”. You
always are in union with God, but you might not know it at the moment. But,
there are eternal reasons and meaning for each category.
The
category you find yourself in is merely your perception of yourself. Of course
we all have all sorts of perceptions and thoughts, but these are the basic
three – at least as far as John saw it.
Now,
what does “category” or “perception” mean? “Children” see themselves in a
childlike relationship with God. Generally speaking that person is relatively
new to the faith. That person might have had a dramatic conversion experience.
God, who was afar off, is now near and He is kind and loving and basically,
“Daddy”. It’s a sweet time especially for those who really need a Daddy. The
Child is basically a “taker” and not a “giver”.
In the
[little] Children stage “forgiveness of sin” is big – for many really big. I
say that because there are many that come to faith in Jesus with a checkered
past. Their life gets a complete makeover upon faith in Jesus. So, knowing the
burden and the penalty of sin is lifted and that you have eternal life, because
of the vicarious death of the Savior is wonderful and life-changing.
The
reality is that you’re not going to stay a Child forever. Some try, but
inevitably all will move on.
So, we
have laid out three basic categories – Children, Young Men and Father. Let’s
talk more about Children.
Most,
when new to Christianity, approach it as you would approach anything new – get
with the program - find out what you can - associate with others. Advice is
freely given by those more “experienced”.
Up until
salvation God is seen afar off. He appears to be a separate entity from me. We
exist in the same universe, but He is “up” in heaven and I am here on earth.
But, after salvation - I now know Him and before I did not. But basically He
still appears to be “outside” or “separate” from me.
Christianity
is now seen as a thing to be learned - program to do – the Bible to memorize –
quiet times to have – church to join and go to – bible studies to attend. It
can all get very complicated very quickly. It did for me.
I became
a believer in Jesus at 18 years of age. Before my 20th birthday I went from
being Jewish to getting baptized and confirmed Roman Catholic at Sacred Heart
University in Bridgeport, Connecticut; baptized Southern Baptist at James
Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas; learning about commune living at
the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Houston, Texas; attended Bill Gothard’s
Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts and finally, “got the Holy Ghost” complete
with my own prayer language. Not bad for a Jewish kid from New York.
I was a
mess.
What
happened? What happened to the simplicity of “Daddy” – my sins are forgiven –
and I’m going to heaven?
Well –
what happened was my Child stage of Christianity was over and I commenced life
as a Young Man.
While my
life history may be different than yours, we all have the same exact feelings,
emotions and psychology regarding our progression from Children to Young Men
and on to Fatherhood.
Before
jumping into the “Young Man” discussion, it is crucial to understand what
Christian “growth” means and to review some basics.
Consider
a human embryo. Upon conception that human has the genetic potential for all he
or she will ever be. While the human will grow from microscopic size to full
grown size – however the fertilized egg is a complete human [genetically
speaking]. That embryo will never become more of a human being or a better
human being.
In the
very same sense the “child” Christian – while new in the faith – is a complete
Christian. The Child will never become more of a Christian or a better Christian.
The Child will never be closer to God or have more of Him. The Christian is
100% complete at salvation.
You
would never say that, because a human being is young or small that somehow they
are not a complete person. Physical growth does not affect the reality of who a
human is.
The
confusing point is that as Christians we equate Christian growth with getting
closer to God by learning more about Him or living a more ethical or moral
existence – doing what “Jesus would do” – becoming more “Christ-like”. This is
primarily because in the “Child” and “Young Man” stages God is still perceived
as external or a separate Being – which is a misconception – as He is not
external or separate.
Reality
does not get any more basic than the fact that God chose to deem the entire
creation lost - not some more than others – just all lost. All need forgiveness
– all need a Savior. What He did at that point did not depend upon a human –
with the exception of One – Jesus Christ. The crucifixion is the one and final
sacrifice needed to bring the entire creation to redemption.
So, when
a person avails themselves of their free gift of redemption, a very common
prayer that many use, upon their first exercise of faith is “come into my heart
Lord Jesus”. Well, that’s actually and precisely what happens. His spirit is
now joined to your spirit. That union [right – that’s what we’re talking about]
is created. It does not get “better” or “more”. It simply is. What we’re
talking about is “do I know it?” And the reality is that a Child or Young Man
really can’t know that – not at the moment.
So,
basically, in a flash you go from lost to found – sinner to saint. There are no
better or worse sinners. By the same token there are no better or worse saints.
You either are or you are not. So, if there actually is such a thing as
“Christian growth”, it is only in the human understanding not in the reality.
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” (1 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.
So, 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.
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).
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. 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.
The
Child sees his “Christian” life as how it benefits him – “my sins are
forgiven”, “I’m going to Heaven”.
The
Young Man sees his “Christian” life, also, as how it benefits him – “I am
strong” – “I know the bible” – “I can whip the devil”. Or worse – the Young Man
can get into doing this or that to obtain “blessings” or “wealth” or “health”
or whatever. The Young Man can be very self-centered.
The
Father is different. He knows the difference between the improved life and the
replaced life. His life is not about him or for him. The Father knows he lives
his life for others. He is Christ in his world.
“I write unto you, fathers, because ye have
known him that is from the beginning” (1 John 2:13).
Let’s
not forget one thing – you already have Union – His Spirit joined eternally and
unchangeably to your spirit. What does that mean? It means you are already a
Father.
The
question arises – why should I know my union? The answer is simple – “Christ
must be formed in you” – and He already is – but the “forming” is the “knowing”
– intuitively, permanently, unquestionably.
Why is
that so important? Why must I know this? In the Old Testament He tells us His
name - “I am”. Jesus also said “I am”. But that sort of begs the question – “I
am who – I am what?”.
Well He
answers that question also – “God is love”. So, one thing we know is that love
is not an emotion – although love can be felt. It is not a thing to be
obtained. More properly Love is a Person - the Person. You will not get more
love as if it were a thing to be obtained – but you will be an expression of
the Person who is Love.
Why is
this important? Because - Love exists for others. Love has no other purpose. If
God made a choice – and that is hard to imagine because “choice” is really a
temporal word – a word for time and space – but let’s say He sat down one day
and made a choice. Well His choices are obvious. He could be alone – or - He
could have created all that exists to serve Him – or - and the choice He
obviously made, was that He could serve and, in fact, die for His creation.
Well, if that’s not the best definition of love – I don’t know how to define
love.
So – we
are now the expression of Him who is Love. And, we are in fact Love ourselves.
We know
we are Fathers. We know that it is important to know this – but why?
Well,
what is His purpose in all this? Are we created to be a race of immature
Children and Young Men? Is there some eternal purpose in all being
self-centered – “getting the blessings” like kids in a candy store? No. Of
course not.
The
truth is we are mature. We do know who we are. We are safe. We are His
expression. He is the lover. We are lovers. He is the creator. We are creators.
He gave His life. We shall give our lives. This is truly Christianity. This is
who we are.
The process
of going from the consciousness of Children to Young Men to Fathers is what
Paul described as the “renewing of your
mind”.
“… be ye transformed by the renewing of your
mind …” (Rom. 12:2).
“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind …”
[Eph. 4:23].
Understanding
that, as a Father, you exist for others is very different than your original
thoughts about Christianity.
The
Father’s mind is renewed. He does not see Christianity as a religion to improve
his self. His self will never be improved, only replaced by Christ Himself.
Fathers do not look to “get something” out of Christianity – rather – he sees
himself as one who gives all because he loves and is love himself.
Look
again at how John describes the Father: “I
write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning”
(1 John 2:13). There is such clarity in that vantage point – knowing Him – the
One from the beginning. All the nonsense of religious Christianity drops away
at that point. That statement is beyond human grasp – except by intuition.
So how
do you get it? How do you “know” your union? Well, for one it is real whether
you know it or not. You are a Father whether you appear to be or not. Your
feelings are irrelevant. Appearances are irrelevant. Feelings and appearances
are irrelevant as to the eternal truth of who you are.
There is
one thing you must know. He always gives confirmation of what is real –
eventually. That old missionary always talked about expressing faith like
committing yourself to sitting in a chair. Have you ever seen someone sit in a
chair and the chair broke. It’s very funny if it’s not you. It does happen.
Sometimes chairs break. However, He does not break.
But you
must fall backwards into Him like you would fall backwards into a chair. The
only difference is that He will never, ever fail you and, most important, is
that at some point you will realize that it is not you that hold Him, but He
that holds you. You will realize that you do not hold Christianity together by
anything you do – praying, reading, singing, fellowshipping, tithing – or any
of the other “so-called” Christian activities. All is dependent upon Him,
period.
At some
point it will simply occur to you that – what you have said a thousand or ten
thousand times “He lives His life as me”
– is true. It may hit you like a ton of eternal bricks. There will be
confirmation.
But, as
sure as the sun will rise in the east – the reality [truth] is that you were
crucified with Christ – and – now the life you live is Him living as you.
The good
thing is that it is not your job to give the confirmation – it is His. So,
basically just forget about it – let Him be Himself.
And, so,
in the words of Forrest Gump, “that’s all
I have to say about that [for now]”.