Union with Christ is a profound theological concept that signifies the intimate relationship between Jesus Christ and believers. This union is not merely a metaphorical or symbolic connection but a spiritual reality that encompasses the believer's entire life. It is a central theme in the New Testament and is foundational to understanding the Christian faith and the believer's identity in Christ.

Biblical Foundation

The prayer of Jesus in John 17, often referred to as the High Priestly Prayer, is a pivotal passage that highlights Christ's desire for the union of all believers with Himself and with one another. In John 17:20-23 , Jesus prays, "I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one—I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me."

This passage reveals several key aspects of the union with Christ:

1. Unity Among Believers: Jesus prays for the unity of all who believe in Him, reflecting the unity between the Father and the Son. This unity is not merely organizational or external but is rooted in the shared life and love of the Trinity.

2. Participation in Divine Glory: Jesus speaks of giving believers the glory that the Father gave Him. This glory is not an abstract concept but a participation in the divine nature, as believers are transformed into the likeness of Christ.

3. Purpose of Union: The union with Christ serves a missional purpose—"so that the world may believe that You sent Me." The unity and love among believers are a testimony to the world of the truth of the Gospel and the reality of God's love.

Theological Implications

Union with Christ encompasses several dimensions of the believer's life:

· Justification: Through union with Christ, believers are justified, meaning they are declared righteous before God. This is not based on their own merit but on the righteousness of Christ imputed to them (2 Corinthians 5:21).

· Sanctification: Union with Christ is the basis for sanctification, the process by which believers are made holy. As they abide in Christ, they bear fruit and grow in holiness (John 15:4-5).

· Adoption: Believers are adopted into the family of God through their union with Christ. They become children of God and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:16-17).

· Glorification: The ultimate fulfillment of union with Christ is glorification, where believers will be fully conformed to the image of Christ and enjoy eternal communion with God (Romans 8:29-30).

Practical Outworking

The union with Christ has practical implications for the life of the believer:

· Identity: Believers find their true identity in Christ. They are no longer defined by their past, their sins, or the world's standards, but by their relationship with Christ (Galatians 2:20).

· Community: Union with Christ fosters a deep sense of community among believers. They are members of one body, called to love, serve, and support one another (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

· Mission: The union with Christ compels believers to participate in the mission of God. As they are united with Christ, they are called to be His ambassadors, sharing the Gospel and making disciples (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).

In summary, union with Christ is a transformative reality that shapes every aspect of the believer's life, from their identity and community to their mission in the world. It is a gift of grace, rooted in the love and purpose of God, and is central to the Christian experience.John 17:21,23
That they all may be one; as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that you have sent me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

How Christ is to be Made Use Of, as the Way, for Sanctification in ...
... and yet win to no certainty of his union with Christ ... And what he prayed for them,
was not for them alone ... Holy Ghost, and like a servant of Christ's bought with a ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter v how christ is.htm

Paul a Pattern of Prayer
... in the face of this statement he prayed earnestly for ... in the third place, a perfect
union, for when ... of anything coming between the believer and Christ; so the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/paul a pattern of prayer.htm

Christ's Pastoral Prayer for his People
... kept even to the end, and then kept in living union with all ... Christ, with prescient
eye, looked on every one of us who believe on him, and prayed for each ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 39 1893/christs pastoral prayer for his.htm

The Communion of Saints.
... Holy Communion is the means of maintaining this union, and of ... the Father, and with
His Son Jesus Christ" (1 S ... by the same Apostle; wherein He prayed, "That they ...
/.../burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter x the communion of.htm

The Prayer of the Regenerated.
... most intimate union, and by virtue of that union putting Himself ... "Our Life is hid
with Christ in God ... not pray for himself; the Holy Spirit prayed therefore for ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xlii the prayer of the.htm

The Lord's Prayer for Unity.
... examination of the Scriptures that the oneness prayed for by ... Such a union, one that
would unite all believers ... to believe that the Father sent Christ into the ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/the lords prayer for unity.htm

Perseverance Proved.
... in the 21st verse he prays for the union of all ... For these he prayed, not merely that
God would save them ... For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xlix perseverance proved.htm

Modern Examples of Prayer
... Now this man prayed in secret ... means of carrying on the designs of Christ's kingdom
in ... mind and heart were exercised to procure an agreed union in extraordinary ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/xi modern examples of prayer.htm

The Christ of the Gospels. By Rev. Professor Schaff.
... active exercise, all proceeding from the same union with God ... How did Christ bear
all these little and great trials ... into his hands and feet, and prayed in their ...
/.../the christ of the gospels.htm

According to which principle or hypothesis all the objections ...
... as if he had said with our adversaries, Christ prayed not for the ... inhabitation, as
it is generally taken, imports union, or the manner of Christ's being in ...
/.../proposition vi according to which.htm

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