Being One Spirit with Jesus: What It Means for You

Daily Devotion | Day 239

“Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him” (1 Corinthians 6:16-17, NKJV).

Adam and Eve were the first married couple. In Genesis 2:24, the Bible describes what happens when a man and a woman are united in marriage. The ‘unity’ described here is not about exchanging vows (although this has its place). When the Bible says that a man shall be joined to his wife and they shall become one flesh, it is referring to the conjugal act, i.e. husband and wife making love to each other in the most intimate manner possible. From that point, as Jesus put it, the couple “are no longer two, but one flesh” (Mark 10:7-9). We see, therefore, that it is neither the marriage ring nor the marriage vow which makes husband and wife one flesh.

Paul reveals another significant point in 1 Corinthians 6:16. He says that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her. The point here is that when two people sleep together, they become one flesh, regardless of their marital status. For example, if two people commit fornication they automatically become one flesh. This tells us that joining our body to someone else’s body is a powerful thing which has life-changing, ontological implications. It is, therefore, vital that we join ourselves only to people with whom we have a marriage covenant. Establishing one flesh outside a marriage covenant is not only sinful, it is unwise and reckless

Based on the one flesh principle above, the Bible now tells us about a similar principle: the one spirit principle. “He who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him,” Paul writes. We join ourselves to the Lord by believing in Him. From that point, we become one spirit with Him. A supernatural union is established between us and Christ, a union so powerful that it transcends flesh and blood. It is a union on the spirit level. No surprise here. Jesus Himself described His relationship with Christians as akin to the relationship between a vine and its branches (see John 15:1-8). A vine and its branches are one and they have one life. While remaining distinct entities, they are inseparable. That is the nature of a believer’s union with Jesus Christ.

Being one spirit with Jesus Christ has far-reaching implications for the believer (and for Christ, too). We can’t explore all of them here, but let’s look at a couple. First, know that whatever you do or say, you ‘drag’ Jesus into it (see 1 Corinthians 6:13-15). If you do good, you ‘drag’ Him into it; likewise, if you do evil. So, be careful not to desecrate His holy presence which you carry, but do only those things which will honor His Presence.

Finally, have the awareness that you are constantly in Jesus’ presence, because you are one spirit with Him. If it will help you, you can remind yourself daily by repeating as often as possible, “I am one spirit with the Lord.” Knowing that you are one spirit with the Lord, you will have no reason to ever be afraid, anxious, depressed, or worried – no matter what (or who) comes against you. You are one spirit with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Stay calm and glorify Jesus with your life.

May the Lord bless and keep you today. Amen.

For further study: John 14:1-24