Does the Bible say that believers are one with God?

The concept of believers being "one with God" is a profound and deeply spiritual truth that resonates throughout the Scriptures. This unity with God is a central theme in Christian theology, and it is essential to understand its implications for our faith and daily lives. The Bible does indeed speak about this union, and it is woven into the fabric of both the Old and New Testaments.

In the Old Testament, the idea of being united with God is often expressed through the covenant relationship between God and His people. For instance, in Deuteronomy 6:4-5, we find the Shema, a central declaration of the Jewish faith: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This passage emphasizes the oneness of God and calls believers to respond with complete devotion, suggesting a deep, intimate relationship with the Divine.

However, it is in the New Testament that the concept of believers being one with God is most explicitly articulated. Jesus Christ, in His high priestly prayer recorded in John 17, prays for His disciples and all future believers, saying, "I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me" (John 17:20-21, NIV). Here, Jesus explicitly expresses His desire for believers to be united with Him and the Father, reflecting the profound unity within the Trinity.

This unity is further expounded upon by the Apostle Paul in his epistles. In Ephesians 4:4-6, Paul writes, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Paul emphasizes the oneness of the Christian community, which is rooted in the oneness of God. This oneness is not merely a superficial agreement but a deep, spiritual unity that mirrors the relationship within the Godhead.

Moreover, Paul speaks of the mystical union between Christ and believers in several of his letters. In Galatians 2:20, he declares, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." This verse highlights the transformative nature of this union, where the believer's identity is so intertwined with Christ's that it is no longer they who live, but Christ who lives in them. This profound statement reflects the depth of the believer's union with God through Christ.

Additionally, in Romans 6:5, Paul writes, "For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his." This passage speaks to the believer's participation in the death and resurrection of Christ, signifying a deep, spiritual union that transcends mere association. It implies that believers share in the very life of Christ, both in His suffering and His victory.

The concept of believers being one with God is also vividly illustrated in the metaphor of the vine and the branches in John 15. Jesus says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5, NIV). This imagery portrays an organic, life-giving union between Christ and believers, where the life and vitality of the branches are entirely dependent on their connection to the vine. This union is not static but dynamic, resulting in the production of spiritual fruit.

Furthermore, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers is a significant aspect of this union. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Paul writes, "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies." The indwelling Spirit signifies God's presence within the believer, creating an intimate and personal union with the Divine.

Christian literature and theology have also reflected deeply on this union. For instance, the early church fathers, such as Augustine, spoke of the believer's union with God in terms of participation in the divine life. Augustine's famous dictum, "Our hearts are restless until they find rest in you," captures the idea that true fulfillment and peace are found in union with God.

The Reformers, such as John Calvin, also emphasized the believer's union with Christ as central to the Christian faith. Calvin described this union as a "mystical union," highlighting its profound and mysterious nature. He wrote, "We must understand that as long as Christ remains outside of us, and we are separated from him, all that he has suffered and done for the salvation of the human race remains useless and of no value for us" (Institutes of the Christian Religion, III.1.1). For Calvin, this union is the means by which believers receive all the benefits of Christ's redemptive work.

In contemporary theology, the concept of union with God continues to be a vital theme. For instance, in his book "Union with Christ," Reformed theologian Rankin Wilbourne explores the practical and transformative implications of this union for the believer's daily life. He writes, "Union with Christ means that you are in him, and he is in you. It means you are united to him in such a way that everything that is true of him changes what is true of you" (Wilbourne, Union with Christ, p. 29).

In summary, the Bible does indeed teach that believers are one with God. This union is a central theme in both the Old and New Testaments and is articulated through various metaphors and theological concepts. It is a union that is rooted in the covenant relationship, expressed in the high priestly prayer of Jesus, and expounded upon by the Apostle Paul. It is illustrated through the metaphor of the vine and the branches and is signified by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This union is not merely a theological abstraction but a profound and transformative reality that shapes the believer's identity and life. It is a union that has been reflected upon by Christian theologians throughout history and continues to be a vital theme in contemporary theology.