Indwelling Christ in our Human Spirit - who emphasizes this now besides LC?

[Sons to Glory!]

Originally Posted by OBW

Not sure how to answer your question.

But related to this (and I'm not referring to a Bible directly at this moment, and am generally not much of a memorizer of precise details) I recall that at one point in John (in or around chapter 17) he is praying to the Father and says something like "you are in me and I am in you . . . that they may be one as we are." When I recently read this, it was an eye opener since our oneness with each other is not like you are in me and I am in you. Yet it was by reference to Jesus in the Father and the Father in Jesus that our "prayed-for" oneness would be understood. There is clearly nothing simple (or "simply") here. Yet it also seems to indicate that there is something about the oneness of God that is not so "simply One" as Lee would have us understand. The more standard trinitarian understanding of oneness that does not negate separateness and separateness that does not negate oneness seems more meaningful.

While I definitely changed the specific thing being discussed (at least for a minute), I think that even as interesting as this potentially new view of oneness is, it is less important to get caught up in what it really means than it is to learn to actually express oneness with our Christian brothers and sisters. To stop finding nuances in doctrines as a basis to disagree with others.

And sometimes, noting how something is not talked about in certain terms by "others" is an attack on the idea of being one. Not saying that there is no room for discussion and debate over actual doctrines. We should always be ready to both learn and help others learn. And then walk away still as one body when neither is convinced by the other.

I was raised (through most of high school) in the Assemblies of God (pentecostal, dispensational, Arminian) then the LC (cessationist, dispensational, Calvinist — 14 years) then Bible churches (cessationist, dispensational, Calvinist — 32 years almost to the day). But I find that I am not a good Calvinist, not pentecostal, but not cessationist, and don't think much of dispensationalism. Yet I continue to meet with Bible churches. And I know that I give Ohio conniptions over this, but outside of the predeliction for Mary worship, I have much less disagreement with the RCC than I used to. I do not see it as some harlot that happens to have a few good Christians held hostage. I'm not saying I have any desire to convert. But they, as a group, not just as ad hoc individuals, are among the body of Christ with which we are to be one. That is more important than our doctrinal differences and differences in worship style.

Good ruminations bro! Here's some more. Yes, that verse in John 17, "that they may be one as We are one" is a mind blower! We have a hard enough time figuring out how the Father and Son are one. Yet we know they are one in some intrinsic, mysterious way unknown to us humans inhabiting the flesh. We can get a taste in spirit . . . But then this is prayed by Jesus that this oneness would also apply to and experienced by us - MEGA WOW!!! What have we been called into!? (namely the fellowship of the Father and His Son)

And yes, the teachings of a particular group are not so important to me either. I think I'm finally, sorta, kinda not getting blown about by every wind of teaching these days, at least not nearly as much. And this has only come about by a knowledge of Him and His word, and experiencing His love and the genuine fellowship in Christ's body. I've been somewhat surprised and watered by what I've heard come out of Christians of different groups, and that even includes the Roman church. These are all just systems - some a little closer to the mark than others (that day will reveal it all).

So I'm not so quick on here to jump in on the bashing of all things WL & LC. The LC system has manifested itself as something self-serving - OK fine. It should be avoided and we can tell others about the pitfalls of that system. Personally, I don't find much peace to dissect all things LC. It is what it is, and I have moved on (although the Lord is faithful to show me the things still in me from the LC that are off the mark). Others seem to have a burden to dissect it all over & over, and I must trust that is of Him, so also fine.

In the end we are one with all those who have Christ in them, and it's all nothing apart from gaining Christ and knowing His love!