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Election: Union Life in Christ

Jesus Christ is salvation (1 John 5:11).

He is the Life.

And through unending, abundant grace, by faith in Him through the Spirit’s enabling power, we can participate in His eternal life. Wow! Simply stunning!

The Apostle Paul uses the phrase “in Christ” and other similar phrases 216 times in the New Testament.

 Paul, a man of deep understanding of the Jewish concept of the God’s election, wanted his readers to know that they had every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph. 1:3-14). This is called “Union Life in Christ.”

I want us to marinate on realities concerning the Christ-follower’s election and union life in Christ. Below, I use some of the chapter, “The Work of God: Salvation,” from Dr. Ken Keathly’s book, A Theology For The Church, pages 689-690.

From the eternal perspective, we were elected in Christ (Ephesians 1:4). God elected His own Jesus, who is our representative. We find our election in Him because we are in union with Him.

From the historical perspective, we were represented as united to Jesus’ sinless life, death on the cross, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:1-5).

From the present perspective, we are united with Jesus the moment we trust Him for eternal life (salvation). Therefore, we enjoy all the present blessings of salvation in Him (Ephesians 1:1-14).

From the eschatological perspective, all of the future blessings of salvation will be given to those who are united to Jesus (1 Peter 1:1-5; Romans 8:17; Ephesians 1:11).

For me this not a mere academic exercise. For me, this is worship, and I pray it is for you, as well. With each keystroke, my heart enlarges because Jesus’ love, life, and grace are swelling it so that I can re-present Him to my family, church, and world.

Marinate on that,

Pastor Derwin