Are you one?

Back in the day when I attended school, we had this course called math. We learned how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide without a calculator! We literally had to use our brains. There was also a study in fractions and a process the teacher called “lowest common denominator.” This boggles the mind to many today that a generation possessed skill and brain power. I am going to take a moment to flex my proficiency in this area to ask you what is the lowest common denominator in the Kingdom of God?

The first thing you need to do when trying to determine the lowest common denominator is to find what the whole has in common. Jesus has already provided us with this answer:

The Father and I are one. (John 10:30)

That they all may be one; as You, Father, art in me, and I in You, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that You have sent me. (John 17:21)

Most western religions practice what I call “fractional reserve theology.” They believe, and hence promote, that it is possible to have small denominations. Consider that there are over 45,000 church denominations globally each professing how they are the “One” true church! The underlying principle within these organization is the ego of the leadership to be the top one on earth rather than recognize the kingdom model.

And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God comes not with observation: (21) Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:20-21)

Recognizing how the kingdom is inside of you has a great deal to do with your comprehension of being one. This is how Jesus was able to claim being one with the Father. Yet many denominations claim that the kingdom of God is coming at a future date when Jesus returns. Jesus told the people of his day that the kingdom of God was in them right that moment. He never claims to have wrapped it all up and taken it with him on his ascension. But that seems to be the case if you listen to what comes from many pulpits today.

Most are familiar with the teaching of the Godhead being “Three-in-One.” Regrettably, this teaching misses a great truth in the math department. Today there are almost 8 billion souls also included in the One. There is no distinction as to who the kingdom is in since it is in all. There is no upper or lower class members in the kingdom. Yes, there are those who do not know this truth, but if the lack of knowing a truth were a penalty to entry into the kingdom, we would all be outside of it for our entire mortal life.

Grace is what keeps the kingdom of God within you. When you look in the mirror trying to see who you are, the reflection is what you have allowed yourself to be indoctrinated into by friends, family, and organizations. The real You is within sheltered by grace.

You may be capable of saying that you are one with the Father, or maybe even Jesus, but can you claim to be one with the rest of the Godhead if you call even one of them enemy or see them as “other?” Can you be One if your thoughts see two or more? Jesus said that if you come to place your offering on the altar but have a problem with your neighbor, you should go solve the issue with the neighbor first so that the offering will be acceptable. In other words, there can be no “other” in the kingdom and you’re responsible for keeping it that way. This is the lesson of grace. So, I’ll ask you again, are you One?