Union with Christ: Necessity and Benefits Part 13

“Communion With” and “Abiding in” Christ   Communion with Christ: Union with Christ is the foundation enabling communion with and abiding in Christ. Union occurs when the Holy Spirit works faith in those being redeemed, thereby uniting them to Christ. Union with Christ is entirely a work of God in which believers are recipients of

Union with Christ: Necessity and Benefits Part 12

Two great quotes you have seen before are repeated because of their importance. Each quote emphasizes the essential nature of Union with Christ.  “Nothing is more central or basic than union and communion with Christ.  …  Union with Christ is in itself a very broad and embracive subject … Union with Christ is really the

Union with Christ: Necessity and Benefits Part 11

Benefits of Union with Christ “Nothing is more central or basic than union and communion with Christ.  …  Union with Christ is in itself a very broad and embracive subject … Union with Christ is really the central truth of the whole doctrine of salvation not only in its application but also in its once-for-all

Union with Christ: Necessity and Benefits Part 10

God’s Preparation for Our Union with Christ In eternity past, God blessed believers “in Christ,” choosing them in Him before the foundation of the world. Paul describes it in this way: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly

Union with Christ: Necessity and Benefits Part 9

The Metaphor of the True Vine Part 3 The Vine and the Branches The primary purpose of a grapevine is to produce fruit. The Vine produces branches, and the branches bear the fruit. Through Union with the Vine, the life of the Vine flows to the branches. The branches use that life to bear fruit.

Union with Christ: Necessity and Benefits Part 8

Metaphor of the True Vine Part 2 The full meaning of the True Vine metaphor is made somewhat easier to see by slightly realigning of the sequence of verses, putting them into the usual pattern followed by a vinedresser as he tends the vine and its fruit. Studying the verses in the order 1, 3,

Union with Christ: Necessity and Benefits Part 7

“I AM THE TRUE VINE” Part 1 Jesus taught the True Vine metaphor on the night of the last supper. The metaphor applies not only to the disciples but to all who are “in Christ.” Jesus spoke to the 11 disciples who remained at the supper after Judas left to betray Him. Jesus’ purpose in

Union with Christ: Necessity and Benefits Part 6

Key Comments from Part 5 From a believer’s subjective perspective, Union with Christ is an event that begins during their mortal life at the time “the Holy Spirit works faith in them, thereby uniting them to Christ in effectual calling.” Being united to Christ in effectual calling brings believers every benefit of salvation both in

Union With Christ: Necessity and Benefits Part 5

Key Facts From Part 4 A human nature includes a human body. A human person consists of a human nature plus a source of “I”. Another way to say this is that a human person consists of a material body in union with an immaterial soul.  Scripture clearly indicates, that at mortal death, something recognizable

Union with Christ: Necessity and Benefits Part 4

Key Facts From Part 3 Christ’s saving work is effective for all the people given to Him by the Father. Salvation is applied to individuals. The Spirit applies salvation by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in effectual calling.  Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby, convincing us of