The Bible consistently affirms that human beings are created in the image and likeness of God. In Genesis 1:27, we read, "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." This passage suggests that our very essence is a reflection of the divine. To be made in God's image implies that we share in some aspects of God's nature.
In Acts 17:28, Paul tells us, "For in him we live and move and have our being." This statement supports the idea that our existence is actually intertwined with the divine. It implies that our life force, our very being, is sustained and exists by God's presence within us. This helps us understand that our essence is not merely biological or material but deeply spiritual and connected to the divine source.
In 1 Corinthians 3:16 Paul reminds us that the New Testament also speaks to this divine connection, "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" Here, the indwelling of God's Spirit signifies that our essence is sanctified and imbued with divinity. We are not just physical entities but vessels of the Holy Spirit, reflecting God's presence within us.
This second Unity Principle brings up the idea of a universal consciousness or divine mind, of which we are all a part. This aligns with the biblical assertion that we live and move in God. This perspective helps us understand that our true essence is not separate from God but a direct expression of the divine nature.
This willingness to accept that we are actually of and imbued with divinity is the second step on our return to the Father’s house. We are children of God and joint heirs of everything that implies. We are not sinful in nature and can learn through a program of study, prayer, meditation and holy relationships to return to the Garden of Eden awareness or consciousness that is our true nature.
Understanding that our essence is of God has profound implications for how we live our lives. It invites us to see ourselves and others through the lens of divinity, fostering a sense of inherent worth, dignity, and connectedness. When we recognize the divine spark within ourselves and others, we are more likely to live in ways that honor that essence—through acts of love, compassion, and creativity.
These changes only occur as we continue our path back to the Father’s House as we apply the Spiritual Principles lined out for us. They occur step by step as we become sincere students of the Truth. “Your Essence is of God” and we can learn to embrace that essence in life.
On this Holiday celebrating freedom, let us decree that “I am free, loved, nurtured and loved by the Divine that I am.”
I Love you...
Rev. Robert