The Miraculous Union: Embracing the Heart of the Gospel
Imagine being part of a grand symphony, where every note, every melody, and every harmony converges to create a breathtaking masterpiece. This is what it means to be united with Christ – to be intricately woven into the very fabric of God’s redemptive plan.
In the New Testament, we find an abundance of references to this sacred union, where believers are created in Christ, crucified with him, buried with him, baptized into his death, and seated with him in the heavenly places. Christ is formed in us, dwells in our hearts, and we are one flesh with him. This is not just a sentimental metaphor; it’s the essential truth of our new and eternal existence.
The apostles cherished this conviction because it was dear to their Lord. C.S. Lewis aptly called the incarnation of God the Son the “central miracle” of Christianity. The redemption, restoration, and reconciliation of sinners – and all of creation – hinge on the supreme fact that God became fully human in Christ Jesus.
But why did God do this? The primary reason is that, through the Holy Spirit, we may be united to Christ and enjoy his fellowship with the Father forever. This is eternal life. Our union with the living Christ transcends our finite understanding, yet we are really and truly joined – spiritually and bodily – to the crucified, resurrected, incarnate person of Christ.
Throughout history, a chorus of churchly voices has emphasized the significance of being united to Christ. Irenaeus, Athanasius, Augustine, Cyril of Alexandria, Bernard of Clairvaux, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Cotton, and Jonathan Edwards, among others, have all underscored the importance of this doctrine.
According to Calvin, our union with Christ is of the highest importance because being joined to Jesus is the whole point of the gospel. We are justified because we have been united to Christ, who is himself our justification. We receive Christ’s benefits precisely and only because we receive Christ.
In giving us himself, Christ will not leave us condemned and guilty or corrupted and depraved. He binds us so completely to himself that we come to share in all that he is as Savior. The gift of sharing in his sonship is perhaps the most extravagant gift of them all, allowing us to participate in the love between the Father and the Son – the very same love the Father has for his beloved Son.
Foundational to believers’ salvation is their union with Christ. To be united to Christ is what it means to be saved, and to be united to Christ is what it means to be the church. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper serve as tangible experiences of this union, reminding us that we have been crucified and raised to new life in Christ Jesus, and that Christ dwells in us and we dwell in him.
In this magnificent symphony of redemption, we are not just passive listeners; we are active participants, united with Christ in an eternal dance of love and grace. As we embrace this miraculous union, we find ourselves transformed into his holy image, forever sons and daughters of God.
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