God is Spirit, His Son is Spirit and the express image of His Father, and if we are born of that Spirit then we shall be in their image, and shall all be one, just as Jesus prayed in John ch. 17 v.21 'That they may all be one, as Thou art Father in me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that Thou hast sent me.' This imagery of all believers being a collective 'son' is a reflection of Exodus ch. 4 v. 22 where God refers to the whole nation of Israel as His Son and His firstborn. As believers in Jesus we are the Spiritual Israel of God. However, we are told that the reason we are to be one with Christ and the Father, and to have His Glory is that the world may believe that God has sent Jesus. We have been given a mission and a commission by Jesus our Lord and some of us have been given gifts for building up the church and some have been given gifts of evangelising. With the body of Christ is the ability, through the spiritual gifts, to do all the works that He did while He was in a physical body on Earth, both with the house of God and with the world.
Gracious Father
Gracious Father give me light
to separate the wrong from right
cause Your face to shine on me
that in the darkness I might see
to bring my soul into subjection
lest I suffer Your rejection
Gracious Father grant me truth
to break the foolishness of youth
Inscribe Your Word upon my heart
lest from Your ways I might depart
May Christ Your Son renew my mind
restoring sight to eyes gone blind
Gracious Father give me peace
from chains of bondage bring release
My soul is longing for the day
when earthly things will pass away
when pain and tears and aching heart
will finally from me depart
Gracious Father lead me home
no longer let my spirit roam
guide me along that narrow way
using staff and rod each day
until this coat of skin and flesh
becomes a robe of righteousness
