Union With Christ
Union With Christ [1]
that act of divine grace by which we are joined to Christ; and is considered, 1. As virtual, or that which was formed from all eternity ( Ephesians 1:4); 2. Vital, or spiritual, formed in the moment of our regeneration ( John 17:26; 1 John 4:13). It is represented in the Scripture by the strongest expressions language can admit of, and even compared to the union between the Father and the Son ( John 17:11; John 17:21, etc.). It is also compared to the union of a vine and its branches ( John 15:4-5); to the union of our food with our bodies (Ephesians 6:56, 57); to the union of the body with the head ( Ephesians 4:15-16); to the conjugal union ( Ephesians 5:23; Ephesians 5:30); to the union of, a king and his subjects ( Matthew 25:34; Matthew 25:40); to a building ( 1 Peter 2:4-5; Ephesians 2:21-22). It is also represented by an identity or Sameness of spirit ( 1 Corinthians 6:17); by identity of body ( 1 Corinthians 12:12; 1 Corinthians 12:27); by an identity of interest ( Matthew 25:40; John 20:17). This union must be considered, not as a mere mental union only in comfort or notion; nor a physical union, as between the head and the members; nor as an essential union, or union with the divine nature; but as a mystical union ( Ephesians 5:32); an honorable union ( 1 John 3:1-2); a supernatural union ( 1 Corinthians 1:30); holy ( 1 John 3:24); necessary ( John 15:4); inviolable ( Romans 8:38-39). Some state it, thus: 1. A union of natures ( Hebrews 2:11); 2. Of actions, Christ's obedience being imputed to us, and our sins reckoned to him ( 2 Corinthians 5:21); 3. Of life ( Colossians 3:4), 4. Of sentiment ( 2 Corinthians 5:17); 5. Of interest ( Matthew 25:34, etc.); 6. Of affection ( 2 Corinthians 5:14); 7. Of residence ( John 17:24). The advantages of it are knowledge ( Ephesians 1:18), fellowship ( 1 Corinthians 1:9), security (John 15) felicity ( 1 Peter 1:8), spirituality ( John 15:8); and, indeed, all the rich communications of spiritual blessings here and hereafter ( Colossians 1:22). The evidences of union with Christ are: light in the understanding ( 1 Peter 2:9); affection to him ( John 14:21); frequent communion with him ( 1 John 1:3); delight in his word, ordinances, and people ( Psalms 27:4; Psalms 119); submission to his will, and conformity to his image ( 1 John 2:5). See Dickinson, Letters, let. 17; Flavel, Method of Grace, ser. 2; Polhill, On Union; Brown, Compend. 5, 1.
