Union with Christ, cont. I am not against evangelicalism or my denomination. It’s just that so much of the theology is based on doing rather than on being. We seem to have a very utilitarian or pragmatic theology of what it means to walk with God. I don’t want to offer yet another article that tells you “how to” become a Spirit filled Christian according to methods, systems, or programs. The Christian life, I believe, is a combination of romance and adventure with Christ. And romance and adventure don’t operate according to methods and systems. There is something more foundational (and foundations are hidden underground) that will support the “walk and the work” and to “learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” Theologians call it union with Christ. The foundation of the Christian life is a Person not a program. That underground foundation is the indwelling presence of Jesus Christ by the Spirit. Every Christian is literally in union with Jesus Christ. A union is the bringing together, uniting, or joining together of two or more distinct and separate entities not previously joined that become a new singular entity. Now think about that for a moment. If you want more in-depth teaching, on the overall notion of “union with Christ” visit the website of James A. Fowler. It contains some of the best teaching and resources that I have ever seen. For example, he writes, The most used New Testament phrase for the Christian’s union with Christ is the simple phrase, “in Christ,” or “in Christ Jesus,” or simply “in Him.”. . . Whenever we read this “in Christ” phrase, we can legitimately interpret it as “in union with Christ.” For example, by His doing you are in Christ Jesus (in union with Christ Jesus), who became to us wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30). “If any man is in Christ (in union with Christ), he is a new creature” (2 Cor. 5:17). This theological statement has profound implications for what it means to live the Christian life. Even though we are in Christ, the New Testament clearly tells us that Christ is also in us. He lives and dwells in the Christian. For example, “It is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me (Gal. 2:20). “This is the mystery . . . Christ in you the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, He will give life through His Spirit who indwells you” (Rom. 8:11). The Christian is a new creature in Christ (in union with Christ); all things have passed away, and all things have become new (2 Cor. 5:17). There is a separation and a distinction between us yet a union of us. Just as in the incarnation, Jesus was God in man, so Jesus is God in us. In a sense, Jesus is incarnate now in us by His Spirit. Take a few moments to ponder this biblical truth deeply. It is hard to grasp how profound this truth is for a powerful and fulfilling Christian life. The Trinity (Father, Son, and Spirit) lives in us! The apostle John writes, “God lives in us” (1 John 4:12, 15, 16). Really!? God lives in us? How? By our union with Christ. James Fowler puts it this way, “God the Son, is operating in the Christian as the energizer and expresser of His life. ‘It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me’ (Gal. 2:20). . . It is not just that ‘Christ resides as an occupant in me,’ but that ‘Christ lives in me, as the dynamic expression of His life that Paul is proclaiming. . . We are free to be and do whatever Christ wants to be and do in, as, and through us.” Can you see the potential for truly living the Christian life in this understanding? In Colossians 2:6 Paul highlights Jesus, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him.” Furthermore, John writes, “If anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live [abide] in him must walk [live] as Jesus did’” (1 John 2:5-6). We live in him to the extent that we open ourselves for him to live in us because we are in union with Christ. The Application I think you get the theological point. By now you might be asking, “Ok, so how does this apply to me? How do I put this theology of union with Christ to use? How do I live a Christian life?” That is exactly what I have been asking myself for many months now. I am just beginning to understand what it means to actually “live” this theology in such a way that I am different. I don’t quite know how to express it except to say that I am trying to practice “theological reflection” on the biblical notion of my being “in Christ.” That means that I think about it, consider it, and image it. Jesus gave us an effective image for theological reflection and how this union should work in application. He said, "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete" (John 15:4-11). continue reading..

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• © 2005 Roger Helland.• Last Updated on November 12, 2005