Union with Christ

While we would most often describe ourselves as “Christians” we should remember the way followers of Jesus were most often described in the New Testament letters is being “in Christ”. Union with Christ is like the central hub of a bicycle wheel with many key components of our faith (salvation, sanctification, glorification, etc.) connected to it. We should never read too quickly over the words, “in Christ” and similar phrases in Scripture as they show us God’s incredible plan for our lives.

Union with Christ is Positional:

• Before creation was spoken into existence, God had the plan to make people in His image and unite them to Himself in Christ.
• The story of redemption is God answering the question “Where are you?” to Adam and Eve in the garden. Remember, when God asks a question, He is about to teach. God answers the question throughout the rest of the Scriptures through Jesus.
• The gospel is good news because God is restoring us to Himself.

Union with Christ is Redemptive:

• Like David gaining victory for his people by defeating Goliath, we are victorious through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
• Salvation is not Jesus becoming part of our life. Jesus is our life! (Col 3:1-4)
• Galatians 2:20 – Our life and story are wrapped up in the life of Jesus.

Union with Christ is Relational:

• Jesus radically identifies with His people. We see this in His interaction with Saul on the road to Damascus. He does not ask, “Why do you persecute my people?” but “Why are you persecuting me?”
• Scripture provides examples such as marriage, head/body, or vine/branches to show us ways we are in relationship with Jesus.
• We not only have our debt erased but an inheritance we receive through union with Christ.

Union with Christ is Eternal:

• “You are in Christ” assures you of identity in Him.
• “Christ in you” gives you the power to live out the new identity.
• God knows exactly what it takes to make you like Jesus and even the difficult places in our lives are leading to that goal.
• Eph 2:27 gives us a peek into the life we are now and fully realize when Jesus returns.

Questions:

1. What is your response knowing that not only is your debt being erased through Jesus’ sacrifice, but your blessing is an inheritance that you get to participate in?
2. You were redeemed for a relationship. Do you truly see that being “in Christ” gives you access to a very personal relationship with the One who created you? What does your relationship with Him look like?
3. How do you need to reorient your mind knowing the fact that heaven isn’t our ultimate goal, but instead, our union with Christ is our goal? Heaven is where Christ is, and we get to be with Him for eternity since we are “in Him”.