1/8/11
Greetings, I’m very excited about all that this year will bring. I hope you are too! Today we will address unity, the God dimension, and the importance of repentance and forgiveness. The God dimension is simply another way to describe the kingdom of God or where God exists. We’ll begin by establishing the fact that unity allows us access to the God dimension. Consider the following verse:
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name (Jesus), there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)
First, let’s point out the obvious. Jesus says that when we gather, He is in our midst. This is not a suggestion of possibility—it is a fact. God fills the atmosphere that we are in, and establishes dominion in it. When two or more gather together in the name of Jesus, unity is established and we will enter the God dimension.
There are admittedly several difficult questions that attach themselves to this statement. If you have found that your experience doesn’t relate to this explanation, your first question will inevitably be: Why doesn’t it feel like we enter the God dimension? In fact, you may be one who finds that it is easier to feel close to God without others. What does this mean for this verse?
Sin and un-forgiveness (holding grudges, hatred, bitterness, etc) will filter the presence and manifestation of God. These things usurp the degree of power that unity can release. If you or those you gather with are carrying these things in their lives, the power of unity will be negated by them. This can lead to fruitless gatherings. When sin and un-forgiveness are removed, the power of unity can be fully realized. We must understand that as a result of what Jesus did, we have been granted access to the kingdom of God. According to the Bible, we have been translated into this kingdom.
“Who [God the Father] hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:” (Colossians 1:13)
Since Christians have been translated into the kingdom of God, we hold a heavenly citizenship. Most of us grasp this concept. However, the principle to be learned is that we are held accountable to the laws of the land of our citizenship. If I am a citizen of the United States and I murder someone, I may try to escape to Mexico. However, if I am found, I can be deported and held accountable for my actions in my country of citizenship. Unlike the example above, there is no where that we can run from God.
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God. After Paul, the writer of the book of Corinthians, makes this statement, he makes a list of offenses that do not inherit the kingdom of God. These include any form of sex outside of marriage, theft (even gum from the grocery store), idolaters, etc. What does this mean? Of course, the immediate revelation that comes is that unbelievers that reject the gospel of Jesus will not go to heaven. However, what happens when a Christian does these things? Do they lose their salvation? The succinct answer is no, because there is security in our salvation (2 Corinthians 1:22). In order to understand the deeper principle behind this verse, we must understand what it means to inherit the kingdom.
Inheritance deals with the issue of access. In other words, those who participate in these sins sacrifice their access to the God dimension. Although God will not forsake them (Hebrews 13:5), they have established a barrier between them and God. This is why we must live lives of repentance and holiness in order to participate in our inheritance (1 John 1:9). In other words, if sin filters our access to the God dimension, repentance is what removes the filter. Regular repentance is extremely important to the life of the Christian!
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” (Hebrews 12:14)
This passage highlights the importance of right relationships in order to experience the God dimension. Un-forgiveness is a major barrier to right relationships. Forgiving others is necessary to be able to experience the God dimension. As it is written, without this we cannot see God.
When sin and un-forgiveness have been dealt with we will see God and experience His kingdom freely and our access to the God dimension will come easily and more powerfully. When these things are not in place, though Jesus is in our midst, the presence and atmosphere that God attempts to establish will be severely hindered. This is because it is filtered. Jesus wants to introduce the atmosphere and characteristics of the kingdom of heaven into our time-space, and His method of choice is unity.
Spiritual maturity, faith, spiritual authority, and other qualities that can be developed within us will also increase the power released through gathering in unity. We’ll talk about this more next week.
Discussion
1) How does this lesson apply to personal prayer, group prayer, and even church services
2) Recall a time of fruitless prayer and a time of fruitful prayer. What was the difference?
3) What barriers are filtering the God dimension in your life?
4) Are there areas of sin in your life? If so are you willing to repent of them right now in order to more freely experience God’s kingdom alone and with others?
5) Give an example of how forgiveness has increased unity in your life experience.
