Our actual union with Christ is founded on our salvation, from beginning to end (Hebrews 12:2). The basis of our union is Jesus’ redemptive work on Calvary’s cross (Ephesians 1:7). We were dead in sin and made alive in Christ to do the good works, which God prepared for us before the beginning of time (Ephesians 2:4-5, 10). We are also united with Christ in regeneration. It is not something we strive to enter. In this union, we are in Christ (John 15:4,5,7; 1 Corinthians 15:22; 2 Corinthians 12:2; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 1:4, 2:10; Philippians 3:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 John 4:13).
We
are in Christ, but Christ is also in us (Galatians
2:20; Colossians 1 27; Romans 8:10; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Ephesians 3:16-17). This makes our union complete. In this guaranteed
bond, Christ dwells in our heart through faith (Ephesians 3:17). Our union with Christ brings us into a state of holiness
through sanctification, not by human effort, but by His grace (Ephesians
2:8-10). We are baptized into His death,
resurrected with Him from the grave, raised with Him in His ascension and we
sit with Him, even now, in heavenly places. We will return to earth with Him
when He appears in His glory to rule and reign in His Kingdom (Romans
6:14, Colossians 2:11-12, 3:1-4; Revelation 19:14; Colossians 3:1; 1
Corinthians 15:22).
There are three stages of
our union with Christ. Initially, we are justified in our death with Christ (Romans
14:8; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:8-9; Revelation
14:13). Then, we are made holy through
out sanctification
through Christ (John
15:4-5; Ephesians 4:16; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Finally, we persevere in our union with
Christ through the faith of Christ, and nothing can separate us from the love
of God (John 10: 27-28; Romans 8:38-39). Our Father is the origin of our union; Jesus is the
provider of our union; and the Holy Spirit is the bond of our union.
Union with Christ includes more than drawing our life from Christ; it also means living in Him and Him living in and through us (Romans 6:3–4, Galatians. 3:26–27). Jesus is our rock, fortress and deliverer in whom we can take refuge. He is our shield and the horn of our salvation, our stronghold (Psalm 18:2). He is also our loving husband (Revelation 19:6-9). We are the apple of His eye, and we can hide under the shadow of His wings (Psalm 17:8). We are Jesus’ offspring and the sons of God (Galatians 3:26-27; Romans 8:14-15). We the Body of Christ, and He is the Head of that Body (1 Corinthians 12:12–27).
Union with Christ includes more than drawing our life from Christ; it also means living in Him and Him living in and through us (Romans 6:3–4, Galatians. 3:26–27). Jesus is our rock, fortress and deliverer in whom we can take refuge. He is our shield and the horn of our salvation, our stronghold (Psalm 18:2). He is also our loving husband (Revelation 19:6-9). We are the apple of His eye, and we can hide under the shadow of His wings (Psalm 17:8). We are Jesus’ offspring and the sons of God (Galatians 3:26-27; Romans 8:14-15). We the Body of Christ, and He is the Head of that Body (1 Corinthians 12:12–27).
When we are one with Christ,
we are also one with the Father (1 John 2:24).
Jesus is the foundation of the building God is making without human hands. We
are the temple of God, in which He dwells (1 Corinthians 3:10–11). We belong to God as a chosen people and a royal
priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). God
chose us before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless,
predestining those who believe in Christ as His adopted sons (Ephesians
1:4-5; Galatians 4:6-7).
We are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's
Saints and members of God's household (Ephesians 2:19;
Philippians 3:20). In our union with Christ, we are also to live in union
with one another as His Body. We have many gifts and talents among us to meet
the needs of each individual member of the Body of Christ (1
Corinthians 12). In our union with
Christ, there is no distinction between anyone’s station in life, race, color
or gender (Galatians 3:28). We
are all one Body in union with one another in Christ.
Prayer:
Father God, our relationship
with You, now and in eternity, occurred in our union with Christ. Because of
Christ, You raised us to new life. In eternity You will give us immortal bodies
with the power of Christ's resurrection. We thank You for Your spiritual
blessings to us in the heavenly realm in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). In Him all of Your promises come to pass and we are
partakers of those promises (Ephesians 3:6).
Thought for the Day:
It is seeing our self from the perspective or
our union with Christ, which energizes us to grow in purity and holiness.