Topical Bible: Union With Christ: Beneficial Results of Being Created Anew

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Union with Christ is a central tenet of Christian theology, emphasizing the profound spiritual connection between believers and Jesus Christ. This union is not merely symbolic but is transformative, resulting in a new creation within the believer. The Apostle Paul articulates this transformation in 2 Corinthians 5:17 : "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!"

Spiritual Renewal and Regeneration

The union with Christ initiates a process of spiritual renewal and regeneration. This transformation is described as being "born again," a concept Jesus explains to Nicodemus in John 3:3 : "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." This new birth is a work of the Holy Spirit, who indwells believers, enabling them to live in accordance with God's will.

Justification and Righteousness

Being united with Christ results in justification, where believers are declared righteous before God. This is not based on their own merits but on the righteousness of Christ imputed to them. Romans 5:1 states, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." This peace signifies a restored relationship with God, free from the condemnation of sin.

Sanctification and Holiness

Union with Christ also leads to sanctification, the process of becoming more like Christ in character and conduct. As believers abide in Christ, they bear spiritual fruit, as described in John 15:5 : "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing." This ongoing transformation is evidence of the Holy Spirit's work in the believer's life, producing holiness and godliness.

Adoption and Inheritance

Through union with Christ, believers are adopted into the family of God, becoming children of God and co-heirs with Christ. Galatians 4:4-7 explains, "But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son...so that we might receive our adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!' So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God." This adoption assures believers of their identity and inheritance in God's kingdom.

Assurance and Security

Union with Christ provides believers with assurance of their salvation and eternal security. Romans 8:38-39 offers comfort: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." This assurance is rooted in the unbreakable bond between Christ and His followers.

Empowerment for Service

Finally, union with Christ empowers believers for service and mission. Ephesians 2:10 declares, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life." This empowerment is not for personal gain but for the advancement of God's kingdom, as believers are called to be ambassadors for Christ, sharing the gospel and serving others in love.

In summary, the union with Christ brings about a profound transformation in the believer's life, marked by spiritual renewal, justification, sanctification, adoption, assurance, and empowerment for service. These benefits underscore the richness of the believer's new identity in Christ and the abundant life promised to those who are in Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Jacob Boehme's Influence in England
... through Boehme's message, which has been very beneficial in other ... that binds his
own soul into union with God ... serpent" is the frequent name for Christ and for ...
/.../chapter xii jacob boehmes influence.htm

Latitudinarian Churchmanship.
... century would have been more entirely beneficial, if he had ... it] consists only in
believing what Christ hath done ... are constantly found in close union with great ...
/.../chapter iv latitudinarian churchmanship.htm

Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire ...
... was in him, so now justified in Christ." [MSL, 16 ... the woman to posterity when that
conjugal union received the ... vices, created man upright; but man, being by his ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period ii the church from.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1832 to the Beginning ...
... of the ecclesiastical bodies in the Union, and by ... and resurrection of the Lord Jesus
Christ, together with the ... As an evidence of the beneficial result of these ...
/.../chapter 12 from the close.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1836 to the ...
... fact awakened a spirit of inquiry, highly beneficial in its ... which eventuated in the
severance of the union of Texas ... gifts as a minister of Jesus Christ, and to ...
/.../chapter 14 from the close.htm

Book ii.
... 19. Good health, I doubt not, is more beneficial to us ... course of our life consists
in the union of body ... For this cause Christ suffered that He might deliver us ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/book ii.htm

The First Epistle of St. Peter
... taken over to describe the brotherly union of Christians ... can vicariously suffer for
others, as Christ did, by ... that their suffering has a beneficial result upon ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the first epistle of st.htm

part ii
... own image and likeness, incorruptible, and for union with Himself ... in them; so likewise
pure souls, being freed from ... come face to face with Christ, are refreshed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm