Living in Union with Christ

 

 

Central thought: The union of man with Christ

 

 

Text: Romans 5:12-21; John 15:1-6

 

 

Living in union with Christ means identifying with Him in His crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection and glorification.  This is a part of the total redemption plan of God for mankind.  We enter into this union with Christ when we become born-again and do so by faith on the work of the cross, by grace and by His blood.  We are kept in this union by His power and the working of the Holy Spirit.

This union enables us to enjoy the full blessing of sonship and to take a new place in God and in Christ.  It also gives a new hope of eternal life as we are now citizens of the kingdom of God.  In this union, we manifest the nature and glory of God and Christ.  We are enabled to live a life above sin, the devil and all his works.  A word of caution; all these could become impossible if we let in sin; for sin must not reign in our mortal bodies, Romans 6:12.

 

1. When do we enter into union with Christ?

Our union with Christ begins at the new birth, that is, when we become born-again. The need for this union arose when the man, Adam, sinned and man became separated from God.  Ever since, every man that came into this world was born a servant of sin and of unrighteousness, Isaiah 53:6.  Because of this, man has no positive relationship with God, Isaiah 59:2, all attempts made by man to renew this relationship has never met with success, Isaiah 64:6.  It is like somebody inside a basket trying to raise him-self and the basket.  This is impossible?  God seeing this decided to send His Only begotten Son to rescue us from this terrible situation.  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. . . ”, John 3:16.

When we believe on the Son of God, we enter into a new relationship with both the Father and the Son.  “But as many that received Him to them gave He power to become the sons of God . . . “, John 1:12.  We are given the right of sonship – we who were aliens and strangers to God, Ephesians 2:12.  This belief entails our confessing and receiving the forgiveness of our sins, 1 John 1:9.  Consequently, we can now have peace with God.

 

2. By what means do we enter into this union?  Titus 2:11-14; Romans 5:12-21

We enter into this union by faith, grace and His blood.  “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”, Hebrews 11:1.  By faith we appropriate the work of Christ on the cross to our own lives, we accept that our sins are forgiven and we have been accepted into the body of Christ.  Faith enables us to enter into the relationship of sonship and acceptance, Galatians 3:26.  We also believe that God is faithful to keep His own side of the covenant, 1 John 1:9.

The Scripture tells us that we are saved by grace through faith, Ephesians 2:8, thus, this union is not at our instance but of God’s grace.  Grace is unmerited favor which is God’s love and mercy in action.  This is made manifest to us in the person of Christ, His death and resurrection that make salvation possible.  Jesus gave Himself for us not merely to save us from death and judgment but redeem us from slavery, iniquity and lawlessness to live in union with Him.  Also, this grace is so measureless that it is able to cover all our sins.  We also enter into this union by the blood of Christ; we receive the forgiveness of sin through the blood of Christ, Ephesians 1:7.  By the blood, we mean the propitiatory work of Chris ton the cross where He shed His blood for us.  Thus, the shed blood enables us to enter into union with Christ as it covers our sins.

 

3. What is the significance of living in union with Christ?

Our living in union with Christ means we are now joint heirs with Christ:  “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ. . . ”, Romans 8:17.  This means that we are granted full welcome into God’s family, presence and possessions:  “To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved”, Ephesians 1:6.  We are also baptized into His body, 1 Corinthians 12:13, members of the commonwealth of heaven, Philippians 3:20.  Our hope is no longer in his world only, for we have eternal life which is in His Son, John 10:28.  We are also buried with Christ by baptism into His death, Romans 6:4.  This also means that we will rise with Him on the last day.

Our union with Christ means that the Holy Spirit dwells in us, comforting, guiding and helping us in our daily Christian life.  Also, we have peace with God and this peace passes all understanding, Philippians 4:7.  No matter the circumstances, our minds can be at peace because we are at peace with God.  Peace with God also means that we are not afraid of the devil and all his cohorts.  Our security and prosperity is guaranteed because we are living in union with God.

Another significance of this relationship is that we are friends of God.  John 15:15 says:   “. . . But I have called you friends. . .” As friends, we have entrance into the very presence and heart of God; thus, we can obtain strength in times of need.  We can live and dine with God and we can approach Him without fear, also we are able to have fellowship with the Trinity.  When we are living in union with Christ, we are in the very will of God so that we can appropriate all of God’s blessings and goodness to our lives.  We are free from the bondage of sin, sickness, poverty and Satan.

 

4. In what ways do we manifest this union in our relationship with other people?  Romans 13:1-2

As Christians, the impact of our union with Christ must be seen by all who com e across us daily.  We must allow the goodness and mercies of God to flow through us to others; what benefit has it when people’s lives for example in both believers and unbelievers alike, do not receive the impact of our union with Christ?  As those who have received of the grace of God, we must promote and pursue peace with all men, Romans 12:18, 14:17-19.  We must live a life that is honest, blameless, honorable and above reproach.  We must ensure that we excel in the possession and demonstration of love to God and humanity for this is acceptable in the sight of God.  The nature of Christ is love and we cannot live in union with Him without showing love one to another, for we cannot say we love God without loving our fellow brethren, John 4:19; 13:35.

Jesus came to this world to minister and not to be ministered unto.  As those living in union with Him, we must be ready to render assistance to our fellow believers either in kind or words, because we are saved to serve!  The love of Christ in us motivates us to always be eager to be of help to another person.  Because we have received much, so also we must let our lives be channels of blessing to all believers in particular, Galatians 6:10.  The union with Christ makes us compassionate for the lost and helpless in our generation.  This is because His compassion dwells in us and we have received of that compassion.  We become concerned for sinners and desire their healing and salvation.

 

5. How is the union sustained? John 15:1-6

A branch can only remain functional when it is attached or fixed to the main stem.  Jesus said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches, He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit, for without me ye can do nothing”, John 15:5.  Thus we must abide, dwell: “for in Him we live and move and have our being. . . ”, Acts 18:28.

We must also give ourselves wholly to the reading and study of the Word of God, maintain an active prayer life.  In reading and studying of the Word, we get to know that the requirements of this union are; prayer is the power house where we draw strength to ward off every attack of the devil to pull us out of this great union.  As we remain in this union, we are transformed daily to the perfect image of Christ.  We must possess an active faith that encourages us in our standing with God.

This union is further sustained by constant fellowship with fellow brethren or believers, Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together. . .”  We must also be active for the Lord, John 15:14, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”  Above all, we constantly lean on the Lord for daily grace and strength.

 

6. What militates against this union?

There is something our union with Christ does not tolerate.  This is SIN, in its entire ramification.  Sin, no matter how big or small, black or white, breaks this union.  Thus, believers must not allow sin in their lives; for sin shall have no dominion over you, romans 6:11-12.

The believer must live above sin no matter the circumstance or disguise.  We must abhor anything evil at all times.  Immorality, insincerity, unfaithfulness in marriages, avarice, greed and worldliness to mention a few are inimical to this relationship or union.

If by error or omission there is a crack in the relationship because of sin, let us not despair or lose hope.  “. . . these things write I unto you, tat ye sin not.  And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous”, 1 John 2:1.  We should confess and repent from the error immediately we are convinced of the error so that we can have that full benefit of this union.  A minute, an hour, a day, a week or a month of separation from Christ could have catastrophic consequences.

 

 

Daily living application:

Living in union with Christ entitles us to the privileges of sonship.  This means we are partakers of all the blessings and riches of Christ.  Our lives are enriched and transformed daily to His glory and honor.  We live a life of peace, joy, prosperity of spirit, soul and body and a blessing to our generation.  We are also able to radiate and distribute the grace, mercy and goodness of God to others.  The blessings and privileges inherent in this union are so precious to let a moment of sin or indiscretion to interfere.  Just as the branch cannot abide alone without the vine, so also the believer cannot do without Christ.

 

 

Memory verse

Hebrews 4:13 – “For in Him we live and move and have our being.”