UNION WITH JESUS CHRIST
Union with Jesus Christ is the Gospel. When the true Gospel of Christ is preached and taught, people will know that they can be united with Christ in a relationship of continual intimacy and love. This is not “theology” as that term is usually used. This is a sustained life of spiritual connectedness to “the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2). It is connection to our Lord and Savior on a daily basis by faith.
There are numerous metaphors employed in the New Testament writings to describe this wonderful relationship that is available to us in Jesus. The Bible was not written to confuse you. It is given to lead you to Jesus. And that is why simple metaphors are used to illustrate divine truth about Christ.
Jesus used a very simple metaphor, comparing Himself to a vine and His people to branches connected to that vine. “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him, bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
The point is that all we are called to do is abide in a relationship of faith and love with Christ Jesus. If we do, living for Him will take care of itself. Focus on Christ and the fact that you are one with Him rather than focusing on “being a better Christian.” That will take care of itself if you focus on Jesus.
Those who accept Christ and sustain their faith in Him in a personal relationship are “a new creation in Christ” (2 Cor. 5:17). Our past no longer matters. We are freed from self, sin and Satan in order to serve the Savior. We can focus on where we are going from here with Jesus, not on where we have been.
When we believe that we are united with Jesus, and our trust is in Him, then we are crucified with Christ and “it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20).
Because Christ lives in us in a relationship of love and dependence upon Him, we have access to every aspect of His saving work and we possess all spiritual blessings in Christ (Eph. 1:3).
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). Being “in Christ Jesus” refers to a personal relationship with Him where we depend completely on Him and nothing else. When we do this, we are joined to the Lord, we are united with Him, and we become a temple of God because Christ lives in us by the presence of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17, 19).
Let your identity be found in Christ. He is what matters. He is your salvation and your sanctification. He is everything that you need. Focus on Him every day of your life. You cannot go wrong by keeping your faith and your attention focused on Jesus, the man.
Bryan Dewayne Dunaway
