God just doesn’t do things like we do.  The longer you walk out this journey and grow in the Lord, the more you discover just how much God doesn’t tell us or explain.  I’m not talking about the “hidden secrets of the universe” or where God came from.  I’m talking about some very basic spiritual “truths” that all Christians hold dear (yet divide over).

I’ve made the statement here on MyChurch (and pert’ near everywhere I go) that our oneness is NOT based upon agreement, doctrine, interpretation of scripture, church affiliation, or our fingerprints (just threw that one in for fun)…but it does make the point.  God knows our hearts.  He knows the exact milli-second we became born again.  I’ve heard many saints share their testimony and they can tell you exactly when and where they became a child of God.  It used to be bother me, cuz I happen to be one who can’t say just when or where (are there others out there?)…but I most definitely, beyond a shadow of a doubt KNOW for sure I’m born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but (born) of God.” (Jn. 1:13)

Someday, it may surprise some of us when we learn our real “birthday.”  But this much I do know, once God’s holy Spirit enters us..we are BORN AGAIN!  We can debate when, how, where, and even why, but the truth is: “he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.”  If you “have not the Spirit of Christ you are none of His.”  Our oneness is in the Spirit, so if you have the Spirit of God dwelling in you, you are one with the body of Christ.  So each of us must settle that within ourselves.  Do YOU have the Spirit of the living God dwelling in you?  That is of the utmost importance!

However, I wonder how many have given much thought to how many extremely critical, important, life changing spiritual truths and principles God has chosen to not explain or define for us.  Let me give a few examples and maybe others would like to add to that list.  It amazes me that God does not fully explain:

The heart (not the blood pump), but the spiritual heart.  Where is it?  Is it the same as the soul .. the mind .. the spirit .. the .. conscience?  How does it work? What changes it?  God says man’s heart is evil, then He says”… if you believe in your heart.”  The heart plays a pretty important role in our salvation.  God's word separates soul and spirit, even down to the thoughts and intents of the heart.  It would seem to me it would be important to know a bit more about the heart.  Who can explain the heart?  The word “heart” occurs at least 830 times in the Bible and it’s a very interesting study.  I once went through every one of those instances (even the reins of the heart, kidneys, bowels, etc.).  I still have found no one who can explain it to me.

How about heaven?  Where is it?  Is it a real place or figurative?  Is being called up into the clouds heaven?

How about hell?  Is it under the earth?  Look at who is outside the gates of New Jerusalem (Rev. 22:14-15).  Where is that?

How about eternity?  When does eternity begin, end?  When did time begin and end?  Is eternity after time ends?  We were crucified with Christ, yet the Lamb was slain from the foundations of the world.  How does that fit with eternity?

How about church?  Now that’s a good one.  We all must admit that’s pretty important in our lives.  Just what is church?  How many should there be?  Is it/she organic?  How do you start one?  Can you stop one?  What makes up a church, when does it become a “para” ministry and not church?  When does church start?  Who determines all this?  Ya gotta admit, it just ain’t all spelled out for us.  Why?  Only the gospel of Matthew even mentions the word, church.  Jesus left no specific instructions to His disciples.   He just went about doing good, healing and setting captives free.

Some have tried to explain and harmonize free will, predestination, foreknowledge, election, etc. (no oneness in that endeavor).  See what I mean?  There's just an awful lot God could clear up for us.  If He would only have it written down somewhere so we could all read it and ALL understand just what all this means, then we could REALLY be one.  We could ALL say we believe exactly the same thing.  There would be no need for "denominations," and various names in front of the church buildings.

If  I was God, I would put all these “mysteries” in an encrypted book and hide it.  If anyone really, really, really wanted to know all these “secrets” they would have to find the book and  then break the code, but at least there would be a book with the answers.  Aren’t you glad I’m not God J.  I think we should at least have a divine appendix with explanations and definitions of these words and terms.  Anyway, for what ever reason, God has not chosen to do so.

This is why our oneness cannot depend upon our understanding.  We can’t even explain or understand the heart of man.  I believe God wants us to have an intimate relationship with Him.  He would much rather us hunger and thirst after Him, than to placate our inquiring minds.  After all, we are called to live by faith.  That requires a trusting relationship.  Ought we not treat our brothers and sisters the same?  If God has placed His Spirit in one of His children, who are we to question?  “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God…” (Rom. 8:16)

Charlie - I put this blog on in remembrance of Charlie..so y'all don't forget me :)