Ep. 10 - Union with Christ
Episode Description
What does it mean to be “in Christ”? How does one get there? And how should union with Christ change the way you see yourself and live each day? Is it something you feel — or something you believe by faith? The little phrase “in Christ” runs all through Paul’s epistles, and it describes one of the most beautiful and foundational realities of the Christian life.
In this episode, Pastor Josh unfolds the doctrine of union with Christ. He examines the spiritual baptism of Romans 6 — not a water baptism, but the work of the Holy Spirit identifying the believer with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. He traces the two great identities of all humanity: in Adam, where all are sinners under wrath, or in Christ, where all are made new, righteous, and alive unto God. To be in Christ means being quickened, raised, and seated with Him in the heavenly places, accepted in the Beloved, and seen by God in His Son. This is not a feeling to chase but a position to be walked in by faith — the victory already won, where there is no condemnation.
Key Scriptures
Romans 6:3–4 — Baptized into His Death
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:11 — Dead Indeed unto Sin, Alive unto God
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5:19 — By the Obedience of One
For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
1 Corinthians 1:30 — Of Him Are Ye in Christ Jesus
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.
2 Corinthians 5:17 — A New Creature
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Ephesians 1:3 — All Spiritual Blessings in Christ
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.
Ephesians 2:4–6 — Quickened, Raised, and Seated
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:28 — All One in Christ Jesus
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
1 Corinthians 13:12 — Known Even As I Am Known
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
Galatians 4:9 — Rather Are Known of God
But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
Colossians 2:6 — So Walk Ye in Him
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.
Romans 8:1 — No Condemnation in Christ Jesus
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Episode Outline
The Phrase “In Christ” — A locative reality describing where the believer now stands
Spiritual Baptism, Not Water — Romans 6 and the Holy Spirit’s work of identification
Identified with His Death and Resurrection — Dead to sin, alive unto God
From Adam to Christ — Moved out of the old identity into the new
The Two Great Identities — In Adam all are sinners; in Christ all are made righteous
A New Creature — Old things passed away, all things become new (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Quickened, Raised, and Seated — Ephesians 2 and the believer’s heavenly position
How God Sees You — Known of God in His Son, not in your sin
Walk by Faith, Not by Feelings — Appropriating the reality the Word declares
Rest in the Victory Already Won — Accepted in the Beloved, no condemnation
Questions Discussed
What does it mean to be in Christ?
How does one get there?
How does union with Christ change the way you see yourself and live each day?
Is union with Christ something you feel — or something you believe by faith?
Is the baptism of Romans 6 a water baptism, or something else?
What are the two great identities every person has before God?
If God sees you seated with Christ in the heavenly places, how should that change how you walk?
