There two ways to look at our relationship to Papa God. Did the fall in the garden utterly beak our relationship resulting in total separation. Or was the illusion of separation part of the plan to open our eyes to our union with Yahweh. For the most part the western church falls squarely into separation camp and even rebels against the idea of union. We must earn our way back to what was supposed to be by works, just like any other religion. The truth is, we are not part of a religion but of a relationship.
The story of the prodigal son is such a good picture of the current situation. In the end it tells of two different brothers both striving to restore and remain in the father’s embrace. The younger brother comes back home in the hopes that his father will just let him be a servant in the house. He’s sure that his reckless living has destroyed any semblance of a relationship. The older brother is fully persuaded that all his good deeds, trying to gain the father’s approval have secured his future. He knows for sure that he is much better off than his wayward brother but is still dependent on his actions to ultimately prevail.
What both brothers failed to realize was that their Father’s love trumped all their rebellion and striving. Their Papa’s deep abiding love was why he looked everyday for the younger to return and continued to pour out his blessings on the elder. Neither one of them ever left his heart, they were his reason to continue, his unconditional love forged every thought and action he took on their behalf. Their ultimate union with him was none of their doing but was part and parcel of his love.
Our union with the Father, Son and Holy Ghost has absolutely nothing to do with our works, but is totally by the Grace inherent in their love for us. Throw out that idea that we were separated from them and have to earn our way back. It is not some formula of good deeds or some specific prayer that “gets us into heaven”. We are accepted in the beloved because of the unconditional love of the Trinity towards all mankind.