Union with the Risen LORD (Identity in Christ, part 2)

Introduction

The central message of the Bible is that God graciously saves sinners by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Salvation means being saved from, or delivered from sin, from it's deceptive power, and from God's judgment against us as sinners. 

Salvation means the forgiveness of our sins. Salvation means being reconciled to God. Salvation means receiving the gift of eternal life. It means being justified in the eyes of God. It means being sanctified from inner corruption into the likeness of Christ. It means being glorified in a resurrection body in the presence of God. It is of the utmost importance, then, that we know how to receive this salvation. We receive salvation by receiving Christ. To know Christ is to experience God's salvation.

Question #2. How is it that we know Christ?

We know Christ by being spiritually united to Him.

"But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him." (1 Corinthians 6:17)

"For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his." (Romans 6:5)

"Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God." (Romans 7:4)

"For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end." (Hebrews 3:14)

Read 

Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 1:3; 2:5-6; Colossians 3:3-4; Romans 5:1-2; 8:1, 9-11; Philippians 3:9-10; 1 Corinthians 1:30-31. Identify the key words and phrases that talk about how the Christian has been spiritually united to Jesus.

Discussion or Contemplate

When we were alienated from Jesus, what was our problem? What did we need most? How did God come to meet that need through Jesus? Why, or to what end, did God come to meet that need through Jesus? Now that we have Jesus, is there anything that we truly need that God has not provided? What impact should it have on us that God has given us a relationship with Jesus?

For Prayer

Call on God to help you fully appreciate the blessing of knowing Jesus. Ask God to remind you afresh of the forgiveness, freedom, and spiritual life that you've received as a gift of free grace.