Psalms 8:1, 31:1-4

My Shepherd met me in His green pastures and laid me down in  Corinthians 6. The Mind of the Spirit drew the mind of my spirit into communion at verse 17:

1Corinthians 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

I noticed that this truth is presented in the context of the union between a man and a woman: “What?” said the Spirit through Paul, “Know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh” (1 Corinthians 6:16).

Our bodies are members of Christ and our spirit is joined to His Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:15-17).

We are “joined unto the Lord” spiritually in a manner similar to how a man and a woman are made one flesh. Between man and woman, the joining of two become “one flesh.” With Christ, we become “one spirit.”

The Spirit, by Paul, spoke to this in Ephesians: “For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church” (Ephesians 5:30-32).

Along the still waters, I pondered the mystery of our connection with Christ: Christ is in us —“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). Christ in us refers to the Spirit of Christ dwelling in our hearts (Galatians 4:6; Romans 5:5; 8:9).His Spirit is joined with our spirit; we are “one spirit”!

Becky and I have been married 53 years (married June 11, 1973). We are “one flesh,” and our spirits are also very much connected. The unity was established in the exchange of vows at our wedding. But the experience of that unity grew over time. Now we often find ourselves thinking the same thought at the same moment: she’ll makes a remark that expresses my exact thoughts in that same moment. My spirit rejoices when I’m around her. I feel the oneness most keenly when absent, and most at home when we’re together. The connection was made 53 years ago, the communion I enjoy with her now developed over time.

It’s the same with my Lord Jesus. It began with a vow: To Jesus I said, “You are my Lord” (Romans 10:9), and He said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). Our spirits were united at the moment His Spirit moved into my heart by His grace through my faith. But the communion I enjoy with Him took many years to develop to where it is today.

In the valley, He met me, as He has thousands of times before. It’s a routine, which I lately heard defined as “any regular habit or practice not accommodated to circumstances” (Pastor AJ Harold). 

As He always does, Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

This never gets old for me. It touches me every time His Spirit speaks this call to my heart. I respond to the touch in a variety of ways, most are very familiar. From time to time something fresh presents itself to my mind and heart when I hear my Lord speak these words. It never grows stale. Indeed, it grows sweeter every day.

At the table, another routine that never gets old for me is the anointing of His “fresh” oil, and watching Him fill my cup while carefully stirring into it His sufficient grace against the day’s sufficient evil (Matthew 6:34; 2 Corinthians 12:9).

And I look for God’s goodness and the mercies He renews every morning (Lamentations 3:23), and faithfully, there they are, following me as I follow Jesus into His harvest.

Praying for revival! 🙏

Going live asap:

https://rumble.com/v7gwri2-shepherds-pasture-on-being-one-spirit-with-christ.html