11. I am Immersed into Togetherness

Even though the first part of 1 Corinthians 12 has its own page, “I Know the Spirituals,” the ruling verse of 12:12, we are members of one body, encompasses all of chapters 11 and 12.  Even though we realize that the first part of Chapter 11 comes from Aristotle and not from Hebrew thought, we can draw from it one concept that is out from Scripture, and that is “covering.” “Coverings” are a big part of the Tabernacle picture. Togetherness requires covering. I added another page to this ruling verse because it needs more emphasis, including words of faith from Chapter 11.

Our Page. Now, this is not a study of Chapters 11 and 12, neither is The Jesus Secret II just an expansion of words of the Bible. Rather, we are speaking the deepest meanings out from God as we know them. The words of the Bible inform us of those meanings, yet only the Spirit causes us to know. And the Spirit is always practical.  

For this reason, I must write what is in the boxes first and then explain them a bit in this lesson. Our boxes are “A Body Prepared,” “The Form of Christ Jesus,” “A Living Togetherness,” and “The Jesus Secret.” The added statements of faith from Chapter 11 are not on this page, but we will begin with them.

Statements of Faith. I am adding only those from Chapter 11 which I had not included before.

I give thanks, I speak good grace into all. I eat of Jesus; I drink of Jesus; I bring Him into my mind. As I do that, I make note of the body of Christ, that we are one together. I receive each one of my brothers and sisters, regardless. This is how Jesus teaches me of Himself.

Where the Body? While I was working with the Greek words of Chapter 12, I was struck with the significance of two short verses, 14 and 18 – For the body is not one member, but many. – For if there were just one member, where would be the body? Verse 21 is also very telling. – The HEAD cannot say to the foot, “I have no need of you.” – Jesus cannot be a body for God by Himself – we who are walking on the earth are essential for that body, essential to the visibility of God.

I find myself in the same dilemma as God, for I also have no body, that is, there is not yet with me as Community those precious called out ones who are the support around me and the visibility of the Word that I carry.

Prepared and Knitted Together. And so the words of David, quoted in Hebrews 10, are anointed of the Spirit as being very personal to me now. Therefore, coming into the world, He says, “Sacrifice and offering you have not desired, but a body you have knitted together for me. – Then I said, “Behold, I have come, in the scroll of the book it is written of me, to do that which You desire, O God”(Hebrews 10:5 & 7).

A Body prepared – a Body knitted together. I can’t decide which phrase I like best, both carry a critical thought. I am convinced that God has caused me to know exactly what I need so that I might also know exactly what He needs.

I NEED other People. I have one ability, and that is to hear out from my heart that flow of Gospel Word that will enclothe the Church with Jesus and to put that Word into a rough draft form, written and spoken, to make it available to a few.

That’s it. Any attempt I make to accomplish anything more in the needs of life, in work and provision, in polishing the form of the Word going out, in connecting it to many, in building a school, in gathering in students, all these things go nowhere. I NEED other people. And I need other people, not incidentally, not for their utility, but rather as a living organism, knitted together, committed to walking together and with me for this Word.

People of Integrity. There is an anointing and an authority come upon me to call this specific body of people to gather together to Maureen and me. That might be here in Shepherd, Texas, or wherever the Lord might direct and provide. These are individual people, forty to sixty adults, with any children in addition, each one hearing a call from the Spirit to sell all and to join with us. These are people of integrity, whose hearts belong utterly to Jesus, who will bear any cost to themselves always for Father’s sake. These are people who will commit themselves to one another without reservation, inside of liberty and love.

“Knitted together” means that the community that becomes will come out from the sharing of every one. And “prepared” means that God has shaped their persons for this very thing.

God Needs Such a Body. Some will have provision and the ability to provide. Some will be accountants and organizers. Some will be the public face, interacting with those outside the community. Some will take on the responsibility of the Bible School to make it happen, to give me a classroom and students. And some will help me with the Word I share, to give it the shape it needs to speak to many. There are other needs inside such a gathering, and the people whom God has already gifted to fill them.

This IS a body prepared. And by myself, as Paul said, I am no body. For if I am just one member, where is the body? This need is great, and it is right now. Be seized in your own heart by this call, whether to be part or to pray. Understand, God NEEDS just such a Body far more than I.

A Body Prepared. I am a member, one of many, of a Body prepared for God, the Body of Jesus, His visible form towards all heaven-earth now and forever. It is the Devoted Spirit who immerses me into that body, who knits me together with my brothers and sisters as God’s dwelling place. I am utterly prepared for my place inside this gathering together, for God has prepared me. I know that I fit perfectly with those individuals to whom God is joining me as the revelation of the Father. I know that our togetherness is already prepared for God.

Yet I also know that the shape and culture of our togetherness is knitted by the Spirit into joyous celebration as each one of us, me included, share with one another out from the energeia of God inside of us. God is invisible; He has no Body. God needs some Body to Love, to be seen and known as Love. God Himself is All-Love among us.

Christian Community. The Church, which is His body, the fulness of Christ who fills all inside of all (Ephesians 1:23). But again – LIFE is not what is, but KNOWING what is.

God has no Body until many gatherings of people as I have just described KNOW that they, in their togetherness, ARE God made visible towards all of creation now. Jesus has one form only towards all heaven earth, and that form is Christian Community. No Christian Community, brethren walking in reciprocal Love – no Jesus made known. My task is to stand upon the authority God has given me, that the Word I share is of Him and for His Church in this time of Completion – the Fellowship of the Word.

Today – as We Hear His Voice. Here is the issue. Have you turned around? We are approaching the Day of Atonement; this is the time to Turn Around! Are you functioning in your Christian life as if the present is only in-part, and that later on, in heaven, all will be made known? Or do you know that “going to” heaven is a waste of time, a dead-end, and that all that is God is fulfilled as the Church, right here, right now, TODAY?

The Body is Today. The revelation of Jesus Christ is Today. The gathering together is Today. God filling His fully prepared House with the knowledge of His fulness is NOW. Some run with all their might to be a part, whatever it might cost. - Today, as we hear His Voice.

The Form of Jesus. The Church is the Body of Jesus, His visible form, the fulness of Christ who fills all inside of all. Jesus has no other form. Those who “see” Jesus as a solitary figure are not seeing Him as He is. The form of Jesus is Christian Community, family, brothers and sisters just like Him walking together in liberty and in commitment, loving one another with pure hearts fervently. I am a member of just such a local gathering. I share all that I am with my brethren, and they with me. As we are knitted together by the Spirit inside of Love, so Jesus Himself, now living as our togetherness, is revealed to all creation. And now, as we together see Jesus as He is among us, we are made just like Him in giving ourselves to the Father for one another. Our being knitted together is Jesus and Father at Home.

Heaven Is God’s Home. Just as those who do not enter the Devoted place have ZERO idea of what God has for them inside of it, so those who do not know True Christ Community have zero knowledge of the LIFE of God-revealed that is found therein.

The Spirit of God has immersed us into a togetherness, into the gathering together, for as we fellowship together in the sharing from every person, so God Himself is at HOME. The Spirit of God immersing us right now into real togetherness IS God’s only meaning of heaven. Heaven is NOT “some other place.” Heaven is the Devoted Spirit knitting us together as God’s HOME right here, right now. There is no other time, no other place; RUN into the Feast for all things are now ready.

A Living Togetherness. As I am gathered together with my brothers and sisters in a local Christ Community, the Spirit of Devotion breathes upon the flow of our interaction and fellowship the very breath of God, the visible expression of God’s Person, personality, and Heart. Our togetherness is a living thing, and the back and forth flow of Love among us is ALIVE! We are together as a “swarm” and as we move this way and that, so the Father Himself is seen by all creation as our reciprocal Love. I belong inside of this living Family, and each one of them belongs with me.

Yet we live also in perfect liberty, giving full space to one another in the deepest regard. We sing together through the tasks of the day. We worship together in the reaches of the night. Our fellowship together around the dinner tables is the greatest JOY of our lives. We are together the living Body of Jesus; Jesus is alive in us.

Hear Jesus Speaking. Jesus is very Real. He is real inside of each of us as individuals, AND He is real inside of our togetherness as a Community of Christ. As we speak with one another, even in normal human conversation, so we are Jesus speaking with one another. We hear His Voice, we share His Heart, we speak His Words.

Jesus is more REAL inside of Christian Community than we have ever known, in both dimensions, individually and together. We have no idea just how real Jesus is inside of us, until we know Him together. Hear Jesus speaking to you.

The Jesus Secret. My Dear One, I am the Love you have for your brothers and sisters as you walk together inside of Me. As you love one another just as I love you, so I am revealed to all creation. You together are My body, my only True and enduring form. How I have longed, with aching Heart, for you to be gathered together inside of Me, inside of My living Community. As our Devoted Spirit knits you together with other dear ones of Mine, so you know My glory, so you share My triumph. Run into the gathering together, for it is now time and all things are made ready for you.

Let’s Pray Together. “God, our Father, inside of the name of Jesus, we call upon You. You alone are our Life; You alone are our Salvation. Father, we know that our need for one another, our great need of a Body, a Community of Christ gathered around us, is but a dim reflection of Your great need for a Body, a House in which to dwell, the gathering of Your form inside creation.

“The time of the Apocalypse is now, oh God, the Unveiling of Jesus Christ now seen as His Church, causing all that opposes to be exposed and to be rendered inoperative. Father, we must be part of the practical and real Community of Christ which You have prepared for each one of us. We must be part of Jesus made visible.

“Lord Jesus, we call You to ourselves in the form of those precious devoted ones whom You have prepared for us. We call each member of our own local Community of Christ into their place with us. Come, for all things are now ready.

“Inside of Your name, Lord Jesus, and by Your authority inside of us, we break every bond that prevents, every barrier that withholds, every lack, every doubt, every fear. By the power of our Devoted Spirit, we compel each member of our own local Body to run into the gathering together unto Christ, into that form of Jesus for which they are prepared.

“Father, we have covenanted with You, that we will know You and that we will walk with a people who know You. Father, our Covenant stands, for You have answered us.”