The Union

Unless you are a lot different than I, you find life to be a rather full challenge. We want to aim high, but sometimes it seems that we're fortunate when we hit anything at all. We want to do the best for our kids. In matter of hours this campus will be populated with our new flock of students. But we ourselves need to start by making sure that we are on track. Where are we, day by day, spiritually? Morning by morning we need to reach up and lay hold of the hand of God. We need to make sure that we keep on growing. Every day.

There's a dread maxim heard among pastors, which says that your congregation will rise no higher than your own spirituality. Fortunately, I think there are exceptions to that. But I suppose that as a general thing there's some truth in it. It occurs to me that it could apply equally to teachers. Might our students tend to rise no higher, spiritually, than the example we set for them?

Few either of our students or ourselves have avoided a thorough washing through our minds by the media surrounding us in this age. This hasn't helped our spirituality. Perhaps that is one reason why some of us find considerable refreshment here at Daystar, among the mighty works of our Creator, removed in some degree from the frenetic world surrounding us. This is a different kind of environment. It presents unusual opportunities for ourselves and our students. Opportunities to aim high.

Consider this brief statement with me tonight from the inspired pen:

Each should aim just as high as the union of human with divine power makes it possible for him to reach." Education, p. 267.

Tonight we want to dedicate ourselves to the task before us for the next several months. This task is to facilitate the spiritual and intellectual growth of our students and ourselves. They come here for a Christian education. You will give it to them. For some of these lives, this year will have an especially life-changing impact. We have to be honest. Doubtless, some of them won't "get it." But we must try. And we will.

But what I'm getting at is that this taking high aim isn't just something for our students. "Each should aim just as high as the union of human with divine power makes it possible for him to reach," makes a good plan for each one of us. Let each of us personally aim "just as high" as is possible for us to reach as we partake of the strength of God.

When was the gospel ever PC (politically correct)? The "union of human with divine power" is very biblical, but not a very contemporary way of thinking of the Christian experience. If you'll turn in your Bible to John 15:5 though, we'll see just how Bible-based this is.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in Him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.

What do we have in that verse? Simple. A "union of divine with human power."

Jesus is the vine. A vine is a growing, living, powerful plant. It has a conduit at center of itself through which flow its nourishing juices. Out, through the vine, from the main trunk of the plant to its extremities, the juices of its life flow. Jesus said in this figure that He was the vine and we were the branches. The branches extend out from the main vine. They have a purpose. Jesus said, "He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth fruit." The purpose of the plant is to bring forth fruit. This is its design. And we know that the Bible says that the original design of the garden of Eden was not just to be a pretty place, but to provide food for God's children (and more than this). But we notice that the bringing forth of fruit isn't the purpose either. You see, I misquoted the verse. It actually says (and most of you spotted this) "He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit." Not just "fruit." "Much" fruit!

And what is the formula? Our abiding in Christ, and Christ's abiding in us. There it is. The "union of human with divine power" is potent. It can only have one result. "Much" fruit. It can only have one result. Aiming high.

Combined with the abiding, is aiming. "Each should aim just as high" as it is attainable to reach through this union.

If we will choose to abide in Christ, and choose to let Him abide within us, there will be a union of divine with human power. The seat of this union? In us. Remember, John 15:5 says "the same" brings forth much fruit. The same one in whom there is a living, electric, spiritual union of the divine with the human power.

What does all of this mean? Nothing less than that this fresh school year is a fresh opportunity. Both our students and ourselves have before us an open door. Both have possibilities far beyond what we might ask or think our God would willingly bless us with.

Some of us have been struggling for long years against cultivated habits of sin. Now a new opportunity is here. Through the union of divine with human power, God can change everything.

He can make all things new.

Through the union of divine with human power, much fruit can be brought forth. Glorifying our Father in heaven. And although the result, the fruit comes forth in "the same" person in whom this union is allowed to exist, it gives us no extra points toward our salvation. We add nothing to the cross of Christ. We take nor receive no credit towards our own salvation. But we do co-operate with our Savior.

Is this appealing to you? I thought so.

So tonight we're gathered here to dedicate ourselves through the new school year to aiming high. Not just for our students. But for ourselves. This year we can be purposeful about our own spiritual growth. As we thrive, it will overflow to our precious charges too. This year, may Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27-29) shine out. And may the light pierce some young person's darkness. And may we draw closer to our King, who is coming so very soon. This year can be a magic year, one we'll never forget for what God is about to do. There will be positive times, and hard times. But let us keep our shoulders in the task through it all, and may we commit ourselves even so, to making this year one in which we experience and overflow through an unprecedented "union of human with divine power." May we rejoice as we see the same in the experience of our students. May God bless and help us all.