A Theological Reflection
in the Midst of the Soul’s Dark Night
Jeffrey Lim, B.Comp, M.C.S.
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13. Spiritual Union in Christ
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." (John 15:4)
"In the heart of man there is a void that nothing can fill, even the entire world, because this one space is owned by Jesus" – Blaise Pascal
Many people experience stress in these times. They feel empty, hollow, and thirsty for spiritual nourishment. Humans, created in the likeness and image of God, have spiritual needs for their soul. Initially, this need could be filled through fellowship with God. However, after the fall into sin, this deepest soul need was no longer met. Instead, humans tried to satisfy their spiritual needs with fleshly and worldly things.
The devil then attempts to fill the emptiness of man in these empty times with darkness. We can see it through various offers to practice transcendental meditation, yoga, prana, inner energy, chi kung, chakras, kundalini, mysticism, and Eastern mysticism. All these practices come from the New Age Movement. The teachings of the New Age Movement seem able to offer a solution to the empty human soul. They offer relaxation, peace of mind, and the soulful peace that humans have lost in this modern world. Their teachings seem to provide answers to human problems. However, what they offer will lead humans deeper into the power of darkness.
New Age meditation teaching is not in line with the truth of God. They meditate by emptying the mind. The Word of God teaches that when meditating, we need to fill the mind with the word. Why? Because emptying the mind is a dangerous act for spirituality. When the mind becomes empty, the powers of darkness will fill this void. Thus, it is clear that the teaching to perform the act of emptying the mind does not align with the Word of God. In addition, meditation practices from these various schools also teach that humans will unite with the universe when they empty their minds. Self-awareness will merge with the cosmos (universe). Furthermore, they even teach that humans will unite with God. Man and God become one, and eventually man becomes God.
Aside from the New Age Movement, practices like these are also adopted by followers of Buddhism, Taoism, Zen, yoga, kundalini, and mystic traditions. Fundamentally, all these streams teach the same concept, monism. Monism is the belief that everything is one. This is, of course, very different from the teachings in Christianity, which distinguish between the Creator and creation (Creator-creature distinction).
In relation to depression, the teachings of the New Age Movement seem to have an appeal to fill the void and spiritual thirst of those suffering from depression with mystical paths. However, their teachings are not correct and are even dangerous for spirituality because they will lead the sufferers of depression into the power of darkness. The spirituality obtained from the teachings of the New Age Movement is false spirituality. Therefore, we need to know the true truth about spiritual life and how to meet that need.
This is what the Lord Jesus teaches about true spirituality:
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples." (John 15:1-8)
The Word of God teaches that Jesus is the vine and believers are the branches. This signifies a spiritual union between Christ and the believers. Christ in the believer and the believer in Christ. With this spiritual union, the life of a believer is united with the Source of Life, which is the Lord Himself. A branch cannot grow and bear fruit if it is not attached and dependent on the vine that provides nourishment. Similarly, believers need to depend on the Lord and be fed spiritually by Him. The Lord is the Source of Life and Spirituality, hence believers must cling to this Source if they wish to grow. Just like a branch clings to the vine, a believer's life needs to be close to God for their spiritual needs to be met. How beautiful is this teaching, which states that believers receive their spiritual life from the Lord Himself!
The union of Christ with believers is a mystical union with Christ. This union is one where "the Lord abides in me, and I in Him". This union is different from the teachings of the New Age Movement that has a concept of union with nature and with God. In the teachings of the New Age Movement, man and God are one. This is not true! Indeed, it is a great sin if we want to be like God as the first humans, Adam and Eve, did.
The union of Christ with believers is one where Jesus Christ remains Lord and believers remain believers. spiritual union in Christ means that the life of a believer is in organic union with Christ. The believer's life depends on Christ, is close to Christ, and is fed spiritually from the life of Christ. Without Christ, believers can do nothing because abiding in Christ is the essence of true spirituality. This spiritual union in Christ is the answer for human spirituality, for the emptiness, void, and thirst of the soul experienced by modern humans.
spiritual union in Christ also has an impact on the struggles of believers grappling with the dark night of the soul/depression and other mental disorders. If in Adam we all become sinners, then in Christ, believers are "infected" to become justified. Indeed, in Christ, believers can put on the sanity of Christ and have the mind of Christ. In Christ, believers can be infected by the sanity of Christ. This becomes a great hope for believers experiencing the dark night of the soul/depression and other mental disorders.
"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:5)
Through spiritual union in Christ, believers are also enabled to have the thoughts and feelings that are in Christ Jesus. And, through spiritual union in Christ, believers are also enabled to produce the fruits of the spirit.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23)
When the life of believers is in Christ, they too can say like the Apostle Paul: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21). And, all their spiritual progress in Christ is only because of Christ so that they also may only boast in Christ. All glory to God alone!
In Christ Alone
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My comforter, my all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
(Song : In Christ Alone, Stuart Townend & Keith Getty)
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