Conjunction with the Lord

Selection from Arcana Cœlestia ~ Emanuel Swedenborg

But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.   John 1:12, 13

The conjunction of the Human Essence with the Divine Essence was procured and effected by the Lord by continual combats of temptations and victories, and this from His own power.

He who apprehends the mode of the conjunction and union in any other way is much mistaken.

By this He became righteousness. The conjunction or union was effected with the Celestial of Love, that is, with Love itself, which, as before said, is Jehovah.

The conjunction of men with the Lord is also effected by temptations, and by the implanting of faith in love.

Unless faith is implanted in love, that is, unless a man by the things that are of faith receives the life of faith, that is, charity, there is no conjunction.

This alone is to follow Him, namely, to be conjoined with the Lord just as the Lord as to His Human Essence was conjoined with Jehovah. Hence also all such are called "sons of God," from the Lord who was the only Son of God, and hence they become images of Him.

(Arcana Cœlestia 1737)