Becoming One

The message of this book is precisely pertinent to the move of the Spirit that the Body of Messiah is now experiencing. Written over a period of thirteen years, it offers believers a fresh perspective on the Oneness of God, the reason behind the divisions that plague believers, the interrelated functions of Faith, Hope, and Love, and the truth concerning what it will take for us to finally enter into the fullness of our inheritance as God's people.

Because of this, we must be informed of what our particular side of the covenant requires of us in order that we might have the security of knowing that all requirements have been met. We, after all, are the ones in need of redemption. Since it is grace, or undeserved favor, which brings us to this faith; which is defined as the sum total of what we believe concerning this covenant, it stands to reason that we must adhere carefully to the tenets, or precepts, of said faith. Grace is the motivation behind this plan of salvation engineered by God. Faith is the plan or vehicle, which as the ark carried Noah, will carry us safely into eternal life. This is the reason scripture says, "We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away." In evaluating the boundaries of our faith, we must remember that it was the Author and Finisher of this faith who has predetermined, or foreordained, those boundaries.

It is written: "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.”

There is a universe of difference between assumption and faith. There are key words, which paint pictures in the mind, as to the exact meaning of the word assume. There is the word, conjecture , which tells us that what we have an opinion of, comes from that which we imagine to be true, because we have guessed it to be so; or suspect that our supposition is more than speculation . Conjecture is the product of arrogance . When, in our conceit , our pride motivates us to such forwardness , so as to presuppose a matter, without understanding the facts, we become guilty of unjustified appropriation by accepting our invalid and uninformed opinion as truth, and usurping the exclusive right of truth to be absolute. All fourteen underlined words are synonymous with the word assume. The word faith is defined as belief, trust, and reliance. That which we believe, trust in, and rely upon forms our faith. A faith established on assumption is equivalent to a house built on sand.

The way in which we approach the edification of our faith is indeed an important concern. This faith is what will justify, prepare, and carry us safely home. Reperception becomes essential to our sound understanding of the faith, which God has ordained as valid.

The very term, Foundation, informs us that something is being built, instituted, or established. This word, when used in reference to the edifying or building of something, denotes that part of a building, which supports the weight of it. The foundation of an edifice is what keeps the building from tilting, slipping, or sinking. All that is visible of a foundation is the level area upon which that part of the building, which will be above ground, is built. The part below ground is called the substructure . The part above ground is called the superstructure.

Since the substructure, or foundation, of a building, is what anchors the whole structure; great care is taken to ensure that all building materials conform to predetermined specifications. In other words, the steel must be of certain grade and size, the depth of the substructure must be in correct proportion to the height of the superstructure, and the concrete used must be mixed as called for in the blueprints. Calculations are made to ensure that the substructure will sustain the weight of the building itself; as well as the weight of the people, furniture, tools, and whatever else will occupy space there. If any one of these specifications is not met, the resulting flaw could prove to be disastrous. If the builders insist upon constructing with inferior materials, they are running the risk of having their labor come crumbling to the ground under the weight of itself in any tremor, snowstorm, rainstorm, or as a result of high winds.

" Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child , the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Unless we do that, and learn to wait upon God, we will miss the entrance to the kingdom because the gate is narrow, and we are too puffed up, too much in a hurry, and too busy with our own agenda to perceive it.

24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Yahshua was the Messiah.

The prominent or outstanding feature about this man is that he was "mighty" in the Scriptures. Add to that the fact that he was both eloquent and instructed in the way of the Lord, and you have all the factors present that could have been deterrents, or prevented this man from being moldable or teachable. He could've refused to hear Aquila and Pricilla on the basis that this new revelation could only (in his learned estimation) cause confusion. However, his meekness and lowliness provided an open door for him to step into a new level of glory. He had this and his knowledge of Scripture, which allowed him to recognize the truth when it reached him.