Home with God: Our Union with Christ (Doctrine of Salvation)
Apr 3, 2025
auto_awesome
This captivating discussion dives into the profound doctrine of union with Christ, emphasizing how it shapes our identity and relationship with God. By exploring the story of the prodigal son, the speakers illustrate the concept of 'home with God.' They tackle questions about understanding this union, its biblical foundations, and its significance in salvation. The conversation also touches on how being in Christ leads to sanctification and helps believers embrace their new identity. It's a thought-provoking journey into the heart of Christian faith!
Union with Christ serves as a foundational aspect of salvation, encompassing justification, sanctification, and the believer's identity in Him.
Understanding union with Christ transforms the believer's journey of sanctification into an active pursuit of holiness, reflecting their relationship with God.
Deep dives
Flexible Theological Education
Midwestern Seminary offers a global campus that enables students to pursue theological education from any location. The program is designed to be flexible and affordable, accommodating various learning preferences, including distance learning technologies. Students have the opportunity to engage with their peers and connect with professors they trust, enhancing their educational experience. This initiative reflects the institution's commitment to providing high-quality theological training accessible to all.
Union with Christ
The doctrine of union with Christ is highlighted as a foundational element of Christian faith, emphasizing the believer's integral relationship with Jesus. This union is described as a means of being united to Christ by grace through faith, establishing a believer's identity in Him. The podcast discusses how all aspects of salvation—justification, sanctification, and reconciliation—are made possible through this union, which acts as a critical foundation for understanding salvation. The significance of being 'in Christ' is underscored as not only a positional truth but also an experiential reality for Christians.
Understanding Salvation through Union
The podcast elaborates on how union with Christ impacts the experience of salvation and the various benefits it encompasses. Listeners are reminded that concepts such as justification, adoption, and sanctification find their foundation in this union, meaning they are not just theoretical ideas but are actualized within the believer's life. This perspective encourages believers to recognize the transformative nature of their relationship with Christ, emphasizing God's sustaining presence and the assurance that nothing can sever this divine connection. The conversation conveys that this understanding brings both comfort and a call to live in accordance with one’s identity in Christ.
The Journey of Sanctification
Sanctification is framed as a natural response to the believer's union with Christ, blending rest and active pursuit of holiness. Listeners are encouraged to understand that while they are justified and secure in Christ, growth in holiness is a process that believers engage in throughout their lives. The discussion highlights that this journey is not about earning favor but about reflecting the transformation that comes from being united with Christ. The shared belief is that the desire for sanctification stems from an authentic relationship with God, propelling believers towards obedience and deeper communion with Him.
Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley continue their discussion on the core doctrines of the Christian faith by having a conversation about union with Christ.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
What is union with Christ? Why does it matter?
Why do we have an unbalanced understanding of this? Why do we think more about Christ in me?
How does the story of the prodigal son show us union with Christ?
What is the difference between Union with Christ and communion with God?
How is the story of union with Christ the story of “home with God”?
Where do we find union with Christ in the Bible?
When we say that Christ is in us, are we talking about the Holy Spirit?
What are some of the benefits of salvation?
How does union with Christ help us understand our reception of these benefits?
How does being in Christ lead us to sanctification?
Helpful Definitions:
Union with Christ: Being united to Christ by grace through faith. This means that now our identity is rooted in Christ, we are incorporated into a new people in Christ, and we are participating in God's world in God's ways in Christ.
Abide: Verb form of Abode: Home
Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
Luke 15:11-32, John 15, John 14:23, Genesis 1-3, Jeremiah 31, Romans 8, Romans 5-6, Ephesians 1, Colossians 1:27, John 10, Hebrews 10:14, Philippians 1:6
Midwestern Seminary is excited to announce FTC Talks, exclusive conversations with MBTS faculty about ministry related topics. Completely online and FREE, you can sign up for any and all FTC Talks today at mbts.edu/ftctalks to reserve your spot. Join us for talks about women's discipleship, God's heart for the nations, gospel-driven ministry, Spurgeon's pastoral ministry, and how every Christian is a counselor. We hope these conversations will spur you on in your service to the local church and help you connect with even more ministry leaders and friends across the country. Sign up today at mbts.edu/ftctalks.