Union with Christ clarifies and strengthens identity A

Union with Christ clarifies and strengthens identity. A believer is in Christ and Christ is in the believer. Identity in Christ comes more clearly into view and practice when we understand experience that we are united in Christ.

Union with Christ is that intimate, vital, and spiritual union between Christ and His people by which He is the source of their life and strength, of their blessedness and salvation. Louis Berkhof Systematic Theology

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 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: 3 -5

Those in Christ identify with His… Death Burial Resurrection Ascension Lordship Glory (Romans 6: 3) (Romans 6: 4) (Colossians 3: 1) (Ephesians 2: 6) (II Timothy 2: 12) (Romans 8: 17)

If you are in Christ, this is now the defining truth of who you are. Your life, your story, becomes enfolded by another story – Another’s story. That’s one way to define faith: faith means finding your identity in Christ. Rankin Wilbourne Union with Christ

What’s True About Me Chosen by God and adopted as His child Eph 1: 3 -8 Free from condemnation Rom 8: 1 -2 A citizen of heaven Phil 3: 20 Never separated from God’s love Rom 8: 31 -39 A minister of reconciliation for God II Cor 5: 17 -20

Assured that God always works for my good Rom 8: 28 Bought with a price and belong to God I Cor 6: 19 -20 A friend of Jesus John 15: 15 Redeemed and forgiven of all my sins Col 1: 13 -14 Appointed to bear fruit John 15: 16

Metaphors of our Union in Christ Marriage Ephesians 5: 31 -32 Adoption Romans 8: 15, 16 Vine and Branch John 14 -15

Books on Identity Union with Christ by Rankin Wilbourne Beyond Identity by Dick Keyes