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| Source: Unsplash, Antonio Castellano |
I've been a Christian for over 35 years, but it wasn't until recently that I've better understood the profound theological truth that I am united to Christ.
Being "in" Christ is actually a very common way the New Testament authors describe our identity, position, and hope as Christ followers. Several places in Scripture refer to this deep spiritual union (see 1 Peter 5:14; Philippians 1:1; Romans 8:1). Colossians 3:3 states it this way: “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
We also see a lot of ink spilled on this concept from early church leaders such as Ignatius of Antioch and Ambrose (the mentor of Augustine).
Personally, I've come to understand my oneness with Christ to be like conjoined twins. When I was an elementary student, I remember being taught that these were "Siamese twins"--a politically incorrect term today--but it speaks to the first recognized pair of conjoined twins from Siam (modern day Thailand), Chang and Eng Bunker, born in 1811.
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| Chang and Eng Bunker |
I had to write a report about these conjoined twins and tell my class all about their lives. Chang and Eng had fused livers and left Siam as teenagers to be part of the curiosities exhibition of P.T. Barnam. They toured Europe and the U.S. for over a decade, became wealthy, and settled down with wives in North Carolina to live out their days until they died at age 62.
I remember being floored as a young student to imagine how they lived, traveled, married, and especially how they fathered 21 children, all while being united to each other. How in the world?! That must have been awkward!
But this is how I understand my relationship to Christ as a child of His.
He is not my side-kick or helper. He is part of me--we share a mind, a heart, a spirit. I can't uncouple myself from Him, go or sin or "do life," and then reattach myself at whim. To put it more explicitly, if I were to hop into someone else's bed, cut someone off in traffic, or overdo it at a drinking establishment, Christ does all of these things, too. Conversely, because of my union with Christ, I can love people well. I can push back the dark thoughts, because I have a sound mind, the mind of Christ. He is in me; we are united.
Likewise, due to my unbreakable union with Him, there is no need for me to fear. Psalm 23:4 says it this way:
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
Jesus is with me in a much more profound way than any other human ever could be. For example, when I gave birth to my children, my faithful husband was with me, wiping my brow, holding my hand, and cheering me on, but he was unable to actually enter into my pain and could never hope to experience it or know it. But Christ can and does.
Our union with Christ is also the foundation for our victory over sin. Because Jesus has conquered sin and death, we can, too. More on this in another blog post, but for now, check out Romans 6:5-11 to learn more.
I think we would live very different lives as Chrisitians if we truly understood the profound truth that we are united with Him, inexorably and forever connected.
Would you be willing to consider this concept more fully this week, in your own life, dear friend?
You can start by looking up some of the verses peppered throughout this blog post or by reading one of the fantastic resources that have taught me much this past year:
Union With Christ by Rankin Wilbourne or One with My Lord by Sam Allberry.
May you--may I--take in the beauty and wonder of this exquisite truth of our union with Christ, and may it forever inform our day-to-day decision making, settle our spirits, and give us joy and hope unlike anything we've ever known.
“There is no joy in this world like union with Christ. The more we can feel it, the happier we are.” --Charles Spurgeon
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