One Because In

"The oneness Jesus wants for us is not just modeled on the oneness of God, but participates in the oneness of God."

This sermon destroyed me!! A common theme, I'm noticing. It brought me back to my last post about confession. If I am participating in the oneness that the Father and the Son are participating in, that is as intimate as it can get. There is no use in trying to hide anything, because where would I hide it? I am in the Son as the Son is in the Father and the Father in the Son. The Son is in me as I am in the Father as the Father is in the Son. There is no dark corner, no hidden alleyway to hide anything, so I can experience total freedom because I am fully known (uncomfortably fully known!) and still fully loved.

"Each member of the Trinity is always pouring himself out for and into the others."

We are called not to imitate in this model of oneness, but participate in it. Meaning, as we participate in the Trinity, a natural byproduct of being a participant is pouring ourselves out for and into the others members. An easy response to this for me is this: "Perfect, my job is to pour everything I am into the Son & the Father, so I'm going to sit in my room with my Bible and journal and only spend time with the Son & the Father." But Jesus, in His grace, reminds me, "You're missing the point! *flashback to last week's sermons* You are the salt and light! You have purpose! I didn't ask for you to be taken out of the world so don't remove yourself!"

And finally, "Each believer is a gift given by the Father to the Son. Not to us."
Barneys are gifts, from the Father to the Son. I need to remember, amidst frustration and awkwardness, 1) They are a gift! and 2) They aren't a gift to me!