John 13:34-35  – “I give you a new commandment—to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. ³⁵ Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples—if you have love for one another.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, several things clamped on my mind like a bear trap.   One of them was becoming one with God.  We talk about it, confess and profess it, but do we possess it? 

Why do I ask that?   Jesus said in John 13:34-35 that His “New” commandment was for us to love each other.    New?   He had said that before, and it was an integral part of the Old Testament teaching that we are to love God with our all and our neighbor as ourselves.    So, how was this “New?”

It is in the words, “Just as I have.”   That shifts it from the “philo” human brotherly love to “agape” God kind of love.     Just as is the key, and it is humanly impossible, without total unity or oneness with Jesus.  It requires total death to the flesh and transformation into Him.   Christ in us, through us, with us, and by us.

It is vine life!    It is surrendering total control of Everything to Him.  It is to have no desire that is self-focused.  It is full evidence of the new birth.

That’s why Jesus could say in John 15:7, “IF you remain IN ME, and My Words remain with you, whatever you ask shall be done for you.”   Your oneness with God and total death to the flesh eliminates wrong motives and desires, so your asking is God-centered and flows from God’s heart. 

Our part is obedience.   John 15:10. “IF you keep my commandments,  you will abide in My love, even as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”   That’s the key, “Loving Just as…”

Are we totally surrendered to Him and totally dead to the flesh?    That’s easy to check.   Examine your thoughts, words, and actions.   Our Walk in His Word determines our Wind Up.  

My prayer is Psalm 51:10-12.  I desire a clean heart, right spirit, and life in His presence continuously.  Psalm 19:14 – “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my helper and my Savior.”

To be a friend of Jesus is my ambition.   John 15:14 – “You are My friends IF you do everything that I command you.”   We cannot do that unless we are dead to self and one with Him.  For then He lives in us and through us.  

Are we one with Him?   The evidence is in Love.

Lord help us to manifest our oneness with You!