The Bible and Christianity have a central message that can be overlooked amidst the chaos of daily life. It conveys that the key to knowing and enjoying God is to be united with Christ. This union is not a mere acquaintance but a full partnership with Christ as our representative. By replacing Adam as our previous representative, Christ becomes the bridge that connects us to God. Union with Christ empowers biblical growth and change.
To grow holiness and understand the gospel as good news, we must grasp the concept of our union with Christ. In his writing, the apostle Paul anticipates an objection to this truth: if salvation is by grace and not by works, why bother being holy? However, the gospel promotes holiness when rightly understood.
The Bible has several references that support this idea, including Romans 6:1-11; 15:20-21, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7, and Titus 2:14. Wayne Grudem, in his Systematic Theology, reminds us that Christ is not only in us, but we are also in Christ, giving us the power to live the Christian life. In John 15:5, he states, “He who abides in me, and I in him, it is he that bears much fruit.” This quote confirms that our partnership with Christ is not superficial; it goes beyond mere acquaintance.
When we accept Christ as our representative, we become one with him, and he becomes one with us. Galatians 2:20 states, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Christ’s presence in us determines whether someone is a Christian (Rom. 8:10; 2 Cor. 13:5; Rev. 3:20).
God’s plan to save both Gentiles and Jews was hidden as a mystery for generations. Paul tells his Gentile readers that God’s mystery is “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). This message reminds us that Christ is not just an idea or a philosophy that we agree with, but rather a living and personal being that resides within us.
Therefore, neglecting this truth would mean ignoring the great source of spiritual strength that we have within us (1 John 4:4). Keeping this truth in mind destroys our pride, gives us a constant feeling of deep dependence on Christ, and gives us great confidence, not in ourselves but in Christ working in us (Gal. 2:20; Rom. 15:18; Phil. 4:13).
Theologian Gregg Allison defines the doctrine of Union with Christ as “the mighty work of God to join his people in an eternal covenant with the Son, who accomplished their salvation, through the Holy Spirit, who applies their salvation.” This concept is life-changing and transforms how we view our relationship with God. Through this miraculous union, God communicates all his blessings of salvation to us.
As John Owen writes, “Our union with Him is the cause of all other graces that we are made partakers of.” Our adoption, justification, sanctification, fruitfulness, perseverance, resurrection, and glory all flow from our union with Christ.
Jesus mentioned this radical idea many times, most memorably in John 15. “I am the vine; you are the branches,” Jesus said. “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me, you can do nothing.”
When we believe in Christ, it’s not just an abstract idea we ascribe to. It’s a personal, dynamic, living reality. As Rankin Wilbourne writes, “Truth is a living person we are connected to.” And that connection is through union with Christ. Our old selves have died in union with Christ. We died to sin in the same sense in which Jesus died to sin. We are new people, united with Christ in His resurrection. And that changes everything.
As you reflect on the profound truth of Union with Christ, I encourage you to consider how it impacts your life. Are you living in the reality of this union, or are you struggling to grasp its significance fully? Take some time to think deeply on the blessings that flow from our union with Christ, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you walk in the fullness of this truth. May you experience the transformative power of God’s love and grace in your life as you do.
Debbie Swindell 