What is it that we most long for? Regardless of race, age, era, culture, we long to be one. One with those whom we love…

– This is why we marry. We want to become one with another person. Physically, at consummation, the husband goes inside the wife and the result is a baby that is one with the mother.
– This is why we hug our children so tightly that we want to put them inside our body (In an effort to become one)
– This is why we want to “eat” those we find so cute or adorable. (Again wanting to become one)
– This is why we love conversations with friends who understand us. (Emotionally becoming one)
– This is why a divorce or a break up of a family hurts so much because we are being divided. (Opposite of being one)
– This is why we fear financial ruins because it will threaten our being one with those we love.

We are created to be one. One with God that is. That is the true meaning of salvation. Salvation is being in such a love relationship with God where we know Him and are known by Him so much so that we are one with Him. That is the purpose for which we were created! (Remember Eden when Adam and Eve freely communed with God in complete nakedness – nothing to hide?)

John 17: 20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you sent me.”

Now you know the definition of sin then: Sin is simply not being one with God. Sin is not doing bad things. It is not being in a love relationship with God. So, you could be a morally upright person who doesn’t drink, smoke, chew, or sleep around, but if you are not one with God in a love relationship, you are a sinner!

This also defines our mission: Our mission is to have people become one with God. Our mission is not over until people become one with God. And how do we know we are accomplishing our mission? They become one with one another. If they are one with God, then they will one with each other… (If there is a division in the church, it only points to a division with God)

So, here is the grand purpose of life then: To be one with God and one with each other. (But you realize that this is simply restating the greatest commandments of Jesus – “Love God and love one another…”

Strive to, crave for, pray to be one with God. That is what we most want whether we know it or not….

PH