THE ONENESS OF THE BELIEVER WITH CHRIST

1 Thess. 5:10

Morning Meditation 6/17/2013

"Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him."

OUR ONENESS WITH HIM AT THE RAPTURE

First, chapter four and five continue one subject which began in 4:13. There Paul begins to explain the death of the saints. He says them, "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." (1 Thess 4:13-14). Then he goes on to tell them how it will take place and to take comfort from this. Their minds were unsettled concerning the death of their loved ones. Now they can be comforted in that when we who are alive are caught up, the dead in Christ will also be raised and at that time we will be reunited (1 Thess. 4:17).

This subject continues on in chapter 5 until we come to the text. I will quote verse 9 also with our text: "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him."

The saved in this church age are not appointed to the wrath of God which will be poured out upon the earth during the Great Tribulation. The words "but to obtain salvation" is not speaking of being saved like when one trusts Christ as a personal Saviour. It is speaking of salvation from the wrath to come. The way one escapes this time Paul says is, "by our Lord Jesus Christ." Some good brethren mistakenly believe that some of the saints of the church age will have to go through the tribulation as a means of cleansing or purifying. This is a mistake.

Our text says, "Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him." The things that we get as a result of His death are without number. But one thing that is in that number of grace benefits is that "we should live together with Him." Our Lord's death and resurrection guarantee our rapture and resurrection.

The rapture and resurrection are integrated into our salvation experience. Ephesians 1:13-14 says, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory." You see we are not just saved as is stated in verse 13 but our destiny is settled. God has given us the "earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory." It is not unto the praise of one's martyrdom, or our good works, or our denomination, but, "unto the praise of His glory." Let's summarize our oneness with Him at His coming:

1. We will live together with Him; 1 Thess. 5:10.

2. We will be heirs together; 1 Pet. 3:7.

3. We will be caught up together; 1 Thess. 4:17.

There will be different positions that will be held as a result of rewards, but we will all be together. Next,

THERE WILL BE ONENESS IN FELLOWSHIP

Luke 24:13-14, "And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened."

These disciples "talked together" about the things that had happened concerning the death and burial of Jesus. They did not at this time know of His resurrection. What they did understand they talked together about. There is a very little two Christians agree on today. Christianity has grown to the place where theological differences have splintered believers to the four winds. And every splinter group thinks he is right. Incidentally, that includes me. Amos 3:3 asks, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" This is a rhetorical question. Amos is saying it is not possible.

The divisions that divide the professing Churches will never be brought together in this life. Someone might say, "We are not right with God if we remain divided." I understand someone feeling like that. However there is Scriptural cause for division. Paul said by inspiration of God in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White