But now you have arrived at your destination: By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe—Christ’s life, the fulfillment of God’s original promise.
–Galatians 3:26-27 MSG
Every once in a while, I’m reminded of the life-altering power of truth. I listened the other day to a podcast titled “Union with Christ,” featuring pastor/speaker/writer Sam Allberry. In one way, the ideas weren’t new to me. Yet Sam’s vibrant explanation affected me as though I had never heard the topic before.
I can view my daily life with God as a journey where I follow His leading, ask for His wisdom, and depend on His power. I’m the disciple; He’s the Teacher. I’m the sheep; He’s the Shepherd. I’m the child; He’s the Father. All of these images are biblical, but they aren’t the whole story.
The New Testament explodes with hope of a greater kind, and one that provides endurance. When I’m born again supernaturally by the Holy Spirit, I become a new creation. A change is made of me, not simply in me. I am now united with Jesus Christ through His substitutionary death, burial, and resurrection to life. My union with Christ means that my life is secured within the Three-in-One Godhead. I get to experience emphatically declared love and holiness.
This truth of being united with Christ debunks the lie that I’m not capable of enduring faith or goodness. As Sam tells it, the lie sneers, “Stop trying to be this other guy that you’re clearly not.”* But the truth is, when I’m pursuing holiness, I’m going with the grain of who I really am. Understanding and living out of a union with God the Son makes endurance wonderfully natural.
ACTION: How personally connected to God do you feel right now? What is this based on? When you consider God’s provision to experience full life with Him through your union with Christ, what attracts you about this invitation? What lies try to keep you from enjoying and deepening this intimate relationship?
*Knowing Faith podcast, “Union with Christ with Sam Allberry,” May 28, 2020
