Well, duh. What took me so long to figure this one out?
Rhetorical Question: how does one go about becoming one with the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost?
Answer: become one with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
I know. It sounds like a joke, right?
Perhaps you, like me, presumed that becoming one was a gift you received when you entered through the gates — a binary state change from 0 to 1. You prepared yourself to receive the gift by learning to live a perfect life, like the Savior lived. You made mistakes. You repented. You progressed. Then, at some time in the future you were gifted. You received your exaltation and as a consequence you became one. You weren’t, then you were. Poof. Magic.
Good dog, here’s a biscuit. Written that way, it sounds kind of stupid, doesn’t it. Me kinda feel dat way right now. Why would obtaining this blessing be any different from all the rest? Why wouldn’t it take sacrifice, dedication, learning/practice and growth like every other worthwhile, significant spiritual achievement?
Want to learn to hold your breath longer? Hold your breath.
Okay, now answer me this: what is the difference in being: one with the Father, one with the Spirit, and having the constant companionship of the Spirit of Christ?
What if constant companionship means something other than being touched by the Spirit, but on a continuous basis. What if companion doesn’t imply an associate or concomitant, but more of a mate (or even a “soul mate”?), a brother, a bosom buddy (John 1:18). What if we are supposed to progress from having the Holy Spirit touch us, to having Him (through the Spirit) in us, and through us, and we in Him (John 10:38; 14:6-11) to know Him as He knows us (John 10:15)? What if we are supposed to bury that self-centered us (be truly baptized) and be born of the Spirit, coming forth a new creature (John 6:57-58)? Not just being tagged or high-fived by the spirit, but being subsumed (John 5:30).
What if the day we are supposed to be one with God is today (John 14:20)? Now? Now. Now! Isn’t that what the Savior did (John 8:19)? Isn’t the “kingdom of God [supposed to be] within us?” Now? Didn’t He have the Father with Him always (John 8:29; 16:32)?
And if that isn’t enough, if we are one in Them, and They one in us, then will we not be one with each other (John 17:20-23; note that all seems to include both the disciples and those who believe on their words)?
That is my new working hypothesis, to begin being one with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Now. Forever.
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