In Him

Our union with Christ is foundational to our lives as Christians. Truly, if we aren’t in Christ then we literally aren’t Christians. We live as Christians in union with Jesus, eternally connected with Him.

There’s not a single area of the Christian life that is lived independently from union with Jesus. We wake up, work, play, think, eat, and go to sleep in union with Christ. In an age of identity crises—or so it appears—we must understand our ultimate identity is in Him.

We have all we need in Christ—“every spiritual blessing,” per Ephesians 1:3. It is in Him that we have forgiveness of sins; it is in Him that we receive redemption; it is in Him that we obtain an inheritance.

In an age of identity crises—or so it appears—we must understand our ultimate identity is in Him.

When we arise in the morning and fall asleep at night, we must meditate on our union with Christ. It would do us well to think on this union around the clock. Being in Him is our livelihood, our identity, our everything. For it is in Him that we become more like Him, as we abide in Him.

Have you considered the significance of your union with Jesus? For one reason or another, it’s not a doctrine that is spoken of much; however, like I said above, it’s truly the foundation of our lives as Christians. More than anything, being in Him reveals our utter dependence upon God. We have no ability in and of ourselves to live pleasing lives to God the Father. Therefore, we rely on being in union with Jesus, and depend on the Holy Spirit inside of us.

Being in Him is a great motivator for pursuing holiness, for we know where the power to become like Jesus comes from. It’s not natural to us; it’s not innate with believers. We grow to be like Jesus while being in union with Jesus.

Perhaps it sounds like I’m beating a dead horse—maybe I am. But, inspired by reading Ephesians 1–which is littered with language about our union in Him—I felt compelled to write, to share this precious truth, to—more than anything—preach to myself. But I know we all can use a refresher sometimes on the doctrine of our union with Christ.

“We are made partakers of Christ and all His benefits by the secret operation of His Spirit, which unites us to Him,” John Calvin wrote in the Institutes. “Christ is in us, and we are in Him.”

Friend, meditate on the marvelous mystery that is our union with Jesus, our forever being united in Him.