In his book, Union with Christ, Rankin Wilbourne reminds us of a key component of the gospel: our union with Christ. Rankin points out that the phrase “in Christ” is used over 160 times by the Apostle Paul. As Christians, Christ is in us and we are in Christ. Our union with Christ means that we partake in Christ’s death and resurrection. In Christ, we have died to our sinful nature and our lives are now hidden with Christ on high (Colossians 3:3). Our risen Savior is in us and is our hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).
This is why Christians can have unity, despite each member being unique. Christ is our head and we are His body. We are one in Christ (Galatians 3:26-29). If you are in Christ and Christ is in you, we are more alike than we realize, despite our differences in social class, sex, skin color, nationality, or age. When one member of the body of Christ aches, we all ache (1 Corinthians 12:26). The weaker parts of our body are needed just as much as the “stronger” parts, for we are part of the same body. Your well-being is integral to my growth and maturity.
This is why racism, prejudice, and persecution bother me deeply, because when my brother or sister is attacked or is hurting, I am wounded and ache as well.
Consider this example. Look at Jesus’ words of rebuke to Paul (when he was still known as Saul), when he had set out to persecute and destroy Christians. Saul was raging and plotting against the body of Christ, the church, before his encounter with Jesus. His experience with God’s holiness was a life altering experience. He was blinded by a light from heaven, and heard Jesus’ voice, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4-5.)
Consider the implications of this. When someone wrongs a Christian, it is Jesus himself who is being wronged. If you are a Christian, you are united to Christ and Jesus is your very own advocate. When someone sins against you, they are sinning against the living God! God takes notice and will have his judgment and vindication.
The greatest demonstration of God’s love was on the cross. Jesus, our great high priest went to the cross to take up our cause against the penalty and power of sin. But Jesus still continues in his advocacy for our cause. After his death and resurrection, he ascended into the heavens where he lives to intercede for us (Hebrews 7:25). And one day, we will be made perfect and sin will be no more.
And so advocacy has become a part of my calling. I can be an advocate for others, knowing that advocating for justice, mercy, and unity are dear to God’s heart (Micah 6:8, John 17:22). In the church, union with Christ gives us hope for unity and fellowship with one another.
Our good works will show whether we have been truly united with Christ. In the final judgment, when before Jesus Christ all the nations will be gathered, the sheep will be separated from the goats based on their demonstration of love to the vulnerable and needy. Specifically, those who looked out for the hungry, strangers, and needy will inherit the kingdom.
Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ – (Matthew 25:31-46)
There you have it again. Union with Christ. Whatever you do for the least of these, you did for Jesus.
Revel in the love of Christ for you and your union with him. Nothing can separate you from the love of Christ. The love that the Father has for his Son Jesus, he also has for you (John 17:26).
16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. – Ephesians 3:16-19
May the love of Christ for you serve as a foundation for your love of others. And may Christ’s love for you and your union in Christ make you a better advocate for love, justice, and Christian unity.
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.- Galatians 2:20
photo credit: Fotasca wedding rings via photopin (license)
This is good encouragement indeed. I’d like to make a clarification, though. The author writes…
“Our good works will show whether we have been truly united with Christ. In the final judgment, when before Jesus Christ all the nations will be gathered, the sheep will be separated from the goats based on their demonstration of love to the vulnerable and needy. Specifically, those who looked out for the hungry, strangers, and needy will inherit the kingdom.”
The sheep (or righteous) in the parable will be separated from the goats (or wicked) based not on anything they “demonstrated” but on their justification in Christ alone. in Romans 4 Paul writes, “Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before!” The “work” in Abraham’s case was circumcision… his fulfilling the law as it were. This is what Paul means by the “blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works.” So then it is our faith in Christ and NOT our works in Christ that justify us before God.
BUT,
It IS our works in Christ that demonstrate our new life in Christ to the whole world. Just like the author says above, “Our good works will show whether we have been truly united with Christ.” Jesus says it this way in Matthew 12, “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.” The sheep will be known to other men “based on their demonstration of love to the vulnerable and needy…”, but not to God. For God already knows the hearts of his sheep, because he gave them a new heart, a heart made of flesh and not of stone. They are already known by their Lord based on their faith in His saving love and sacrifice ALONE.
Thank you Quintin. Yes, we are saved by faith alone… a faith which produces fruit. I love the fruit and tree analogy. And the Romans 4 reference. The righteous shall live by faith.
Ephesians 2:8-10: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
James 2:14: “What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?”
Right on brother!