THE UNITY OF ONE
 
I realize that many books and commentaries have been written on the meaning of the number one in Scripture; however, I may be able to give some insights. The number one has a consistent meaning from Genesis to Revelation of unity. The numbers one,eight,and fifty are sometimes referred to as transcendent numbers. One would have to be a very important number because it is the first. It speaks of the Sovereignty of God.One of the many reasons God allows us to go through everything we endure is so we will realize that He is in perfect control of our lives working everything out for good to those that love Him and our called according to His purpose.
 
As I drew closer to God in my fellowship with Him, I finally had to ask myself a question -"what am I so worried about, God loves me and He is Sovereign?" Would it not only be logical in this mixed up world in the midst of everything we endure to go back to the biblical meaning of the number one? We can look at this number in light of our lives. I am convinced that what I am about to share with you is one of the most important subjects in Scripture. The main theme of the very first book of the Bible is that God is in perfect control as the Creator of the universe, ultimately working everything out for the good in the lives of His children. If we will not allow God to share this precious truth in our lives we will always be missing that certain completeness that God desires for us as we practically live out our lives that God has laid before us. Remember our Father in heaven is a God of closure for His children.It just usually takes some time and we just have to be patient because God is faithful.
 
Jesus said in John 10:30 "I and my Father are one." I feel a sense of comfort when I read this because there is no division in that statement. They have different roles yet there is oneness. When there is oneness of spirit in two people I notice it almost immediately. It is something I can feel. It becomes evident. When it is not there it is something I can sense because I believe unity is built into every one of us.What I mean by this is people tend to find their identity through some kind of togetherness. I am not saying that division does not play any role in human beings. I am simply trying to make a point that unity is what makes us whole. I will explain in vivid detail what I mean by this as I relate this subject of one (unity) to our Father in heaven and other people.
 
As I walk through society at least where I live I used to feel a sense of oneness. It was somehow built into the neighborhoods. Now there is far more division than I ever imagined. It's deep- I can't really describe it in words. There is a sense of loss or grief. A feeling that people really don't know their place or their identity. There is something missing and that certain element is oneness. This does line up with end time biblical prophecy because after the rapture of the church people will seek a one world order of religion and politics and will follow after it with the exception of a minority in retrospect to the population of the world. Many in this handful will come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. It's a shame because that is a valuable thing to lose but the good news is God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ have perfect oneness with each other. I will explain later that God the Father,Son,and Holy Spirit have this loving divine unity with each other and that is the greatest news in the world for us because Jesus Christ Himself has something to say about this whole thing.
 
If oneness is not there with a partner or a group of people it can be very frightening. I believe the reason for this is because God originally created us to be one with Him and man. Anything else is enmity from God's point of view, yet division may be necessary if the other party is disobedient before God. The fact that Jesus said "I and my Father are one" speaks of unity,togetherness and authentic love. Why did people in Jesus' day flock after Him? They saw a clear sense of oneness that He had with His Father in heaven and they wanted to know more about this unity. It is my opinion that they probably never saw this before. People are born into division (their nature and the world system) yet deep down they long for unity. I believe they sensed an agreement that Jesus Christ had with His Father in heaven and as a result the sermons they heard were one of true authority. This gives me comfort because no member of the Triune Godhead (Trinity) is going in one direction as opposed to the other. This also prods or motivates me to look into this love relationship a little further. If it were one of division I don't think I would be very interested.
 
I told you that I would talk a little bit about the Trinity. The Bible says in 1st John 5:7 "For there are three that bear record in heaven,the Father,the Word,and the Holy Ghost, and the three are one." Three distinct Persons of the Godhead (Trinity) with different functions yet they are one. Each one desires all to come to a saving knowledge in the second Person of the Trinity who is Jesus Christ. He is the one who died for our sins and rose from the dead on the third day.
 
I am just going to go over a handful of verses describing one being the number of unity in Scripture. In other words I am going to give you some textbook (Bible;chapter and verses) insights from a divine point of view (how God sees this number in His biblical numeric system) and bring it down to our human level as to how it applies to us. Let me repeat myself. One being the very first number of the Bible is vitally important for us to understand and allow the Holy Spirit to apply it to our lives.
 
I am intrigued by what John 17:21-22 says because if these verses don't speak of the grace of God for us as a body in Him, I don't know what references would. "That they may be one; as thou,Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.(22) And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them: that they may be one even as we are one." I think these are very unique verses because they are under the chapter canopy of 17 which is the number that stands for victory in the Bible. You will soon see how God already gave His children the victory through Him. We just have to be obedient to what He says so we can glorify God in heaven. Jesus was first saying or sharing His heart that my children be one in the Spirit. Remember I was talking about that sense of togetherness,agreement and love. Jesus said "Father, art in me, and I in thee." This is oneness. Jesus also shared that His Father gave Him glory and that He already (past tense) gave this very same glory to His children. A child of God is one that realizes his sin condition (Romans 5:12), understands that God provided a provision for his sins (that would be Jesus Christ as spoken of by the Apostle Paul in Romans 5:8) and accepted Jesus Christ into their very own heart as their personal Savior ( Romans 10:9-10). The reason why Jesus Christ gave us this glory is so the body of Christ could and would live as one in Him. This would be the pattern following the relationship that the Son has with God the Father. Jesus was saying we have this special relationship so you can have it also because this is my gift for you to be one in Spirit. He was speaking to His children. No wonder Jesus said in this world (unbelievers in Jesus Christ) will know you are My disciples if you have love for one another. John 13:35. Unbelievers in Jesus Christ will recognize this oneness in Spirit because it mirrors the relationship that Jesus Christ has with His Father which is perfect unity in love.
 
Some people may be asking what about all of the opinions and different directions in the body of Christ. Different denominations are a reality and nobody can deny this; however, the Bible teaches us what to focus in on as children of God through His Son Jesus Christ in a lost world. In the beginning of my Christian journey I had no clue on how to disagree with grace. Now I know of no other way unless the person or group is so unreasonable because God had to mature me. My emphasis was wrong. Of course there are going to be disagreements. There is too much horizontal latitude in this world for there not to be.
 
The specific answer to what God desires our focus to be on would be found in Eph. 4:2-6." With all lowliness and meekness,with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love (3) Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (4) There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling (5) One Lord,one baptism (6) One God and Father of all,who is above all,and through all,and in you all." This practice points to the principle of the meaning of the number one which is unity, but there is a specific oneness the Holy Spirit is talking about. Notice Eph:4.3 which by the way has a perfect numeric juxtaposition in Scripture. Main theme 4 (the world) sub theme 3 (divine completion). In this sin sick world God divinely completed (past tense) ... "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" for His body or His children. We don't have to work our way up to this. That would be merit. Anything God gives His children is a gift. Salvation is a gift from God, peace,love,or different gifts of the Spirit. This has its' origin in the grace of God. All we have to do is "keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." It is already present as a gift from God. This next part you almost have to see to believe. There are "7" ones after this precious gift. (1) body (2) Spirit (3) hope of our calling (4) Lord (5) faith (6) baptism (7) God and Father of all. Seven is the number of spiritual perfection in the Bible. What does this linguistic and numeric picture tell me? God the Father has already provided "The unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" and these seven concentrations of focus are spiritually perfect. One (unity) in combination with seven (spiritual perfection). It is amazing that the Holy Spirit specifies what our focus should be on so we will mirror that very same relationship that Jesus Christ and His Father experience without any hindrance of division. Ephesians 2:14 says" For he is our peace,who hath made both one" ... (past tense).
 
Most of the sound books on biblical numerics regarding the number one by and large quote the same verses in Scripture to make their point that this particular number is associated with unity. I also did the same because there are many verses in the Bible that show number one as associated with the Sovereignty and unity of God; however, I believe these were the most vivid verses that progressively tell a story. Of course I did not mention all of the points regarding this subject but I'm sure you get the basic idea. Zechariah 14:9 is one of the most remarkable verses I have ever read that just brings home the biblical meaning of the number one. "And the Lord shall be King over all the earth; in that day shall there be one Lord, and His name one." After the soon coming dreadful 7 year tribulation on planet earth Jesus Christ will set up His 1000 year millennial reign.This verse is saying Jesus Christ Himself will be the one Lord on this planet... "and His name one." I'm not even going to expand on this because the verse is so clear. After this wonderful study on the biblical number one, I am refreshed to serve and worship one God.
 
Would you like to invite the one Savior and Lord of the universe into your heart? His name is Jesus Christ. His name is one. Just like the people of Jesus' day were intrigued to look into this wonderful love relationship that He had with His Father, you also have this comforting privilege to do the same. You will start to learn about the love of God through His Son Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. As the love of God becomes present in your heart you probably will have a very difficult time putting it into words because it is incomprehensible yet very real.
 
Grace and Peace be with you,
          Bob D.