At The Gathering here in Colorado Springs, we’re walking through our Statement of Beliefs — not just to study theology, but to root our lives in the reality of the Gospel. This week, we explored what it means to be born from above, and how union with Christ is not a reward for good behavior, but the original intent of God from the beginning.

Too many people are living as if the Christian life is about climbing back to God. But the good news is:

God climbed into our condition to bring us home.

The Gospel doesn’t begin with our effort. It begins with our inclusion in Christ — and our awakening to what’s already true.

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The Gospel of Union with Christ: Not Separation

We looked at this powerful passage from 2 Corinthians 5:

“In Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them… We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

And then in John 14:20, Jesus says:

“I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.”

This is where the Gospel begins: In Christ.
We are not trying to get in. We are waking up to the reality that we are already held in His heart.

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Born from Above: A Different Kind of Beginning

John 3 often gets quoted at sports games and church outreaches, but when we slow down and look again, we see something far deeper.

Jesus tells Nicodemus, “Unless someone is born from above, they cannot perceive the Kingdom of God.”

This isn’t about trying again. It’s not a second chance. It’s a different origin story altogether.
We didn’t start in the flesh — we began in God.

“You couldn’t get here in the flesh unless you got here from above.” – John 3:7 (Mirror Translation)

What if union isn’t something you achieve — but something you awaken to?
What if your striving has been unnecessary all along?

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This Is Personal: A Word from Leah

Over the last couple of years, I’ve been in a journey of God bringing me back to the simplicity of relationship. We often share testimonies of being delivered out of darkness — and many of you know mine. God broke into my life while I was bagging cocaine to sell. He didn’t wait for me to clean up or find a church. He came into my hell and set me free.

But what I ran into wasn’t always freedom. I ran into a religious system that offered performance in place of presence.

A few years ago, after hosting a large event in South Texas, I heard the Lord whisper, “Leah, why are you trying to prop up what I am tearing down?”

It stopped me in my tracks. I realized I’d been trying to uphold a religious system that promised transformation — but never delivered transfiguration. I had jumped through every hoop, climbed every structure that promised breakthrough — only to find myself tired, still searching.

And then I saw it:

There was no ladder to climb.
I was already seated with Christ. And He had aleady immersed Himself into my flesh.

All that effort — all that striving — it was building something He never asked for. The system says “climb higher,” but Jesus says, “Abide in me.”

He is the ladder.
He is the way.
He’s not just the access point to union — He is the union.

So the scaffolding in me began to shake.
The religious framework I didn’t even realize I was still carrying had to come down. And what’s left is Jesus. Just Jesus. Dwelling in me. Revealing Himself in and through me. Setting a table that has nothing to do with celebrity or striving — and everything to do with presence, belonging, and transformation.

Years ago, I had the chance to preach in the underground church in China. They asked me to bring all of my teaching materials. I brought books and CDs. All the things. And when I arrived, they gathered aroung my suitcase of materials and cut my name and face off everything. A small Chinese brother looked up, his face beeming, and said, “So you can be effective here.”

That moment changed me. In America, we think effectiveness requires visibility. But in China, it requires being hidden. I’ve wrestled with that — still do. But I’m convinced:

The new wine is coming.
The scaffolding is falling.

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Union With Christ: Our Statement of Belief

“We believe we are reconciled to God in Christ. Our belonging begins in Him, not in separation.”

We aren’t climbing a ladder.
We aren’t checking religious boxes.
We are discovering what has always been true:
You are already in Him. And He is in you.

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Questions for Reflection or Small Group Discussion

1. When in your life have you felt far from God — and what would it have meant to know you were already held?
2. Where do you most struggle to believe you belong — to God, to others, or even to yourself?
3. What part of your “old identity” do you find hardest to release?
4. How has striving shaped your walk with God?
5. How would your everyday life look different if you truly lived from union?
6. What does it mean to see others as already reconciled to God? How does that change how you treat them?

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For Personal Devotion This Week:

Take time to meditate on these passages:

• 2 Corinthians 5:11–21
• John 14:20
• Galatians 2:20
• John 3 (Mirror Translation)

Then ask:

Where have I been living as if I’m separate from God?
What is the Spirit whispering to me now?

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🎧 Want to Go Deeper?

• Listen to the message on YouTube (audio only)
• View the full teaching notes here

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Looking for a Church in Colorado Springs?

If you’re searching for a church in Colorado Springs that teaches union with Christ, the finished work of Jesus, and life in the Spirit — come visit us at The Gathering.

📍 We meet Sundays at 10 AM at Colorado Springs Christian School (4825 Mallow Rd).
We also host midweek gatherings, including our Beholding Nights, Young Adult Dinners, and upcoming Women’s and Men’s Connect Nights.

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🎧 Missed this message? Watch it on YouTube

We’re a family.
We’re being rooted in the Gospel.
And we’re growing in union.

At The Gathering, we are growing deeper in our union with Christ, learning to live from what’s already true rather than striving to earn what’s already ours.

Come be part of the story.

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Written by Leah Ramirez
Founding Pastor, The Gathering — Colorado Springs