United With Christ

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection.  

Romans 6:4-5  

Redemption brings us into union with Christ. Because it does, we change. The Scripture describes this change in various ways. Paul uses the description of our being buried with Christ, as symbolized by immersive baptism, and raised with Him, as arising out of the water pictures. The larger picture is that of dying with Christ and rising from the dead. The key element is our union with Christ. Whereas we begin life apart from Him, when He redeems us, we become united with Him. Thus, the Scripture describes us as His Body, with Him as the Head. The Song of Solomon describes Him as the Bridegroom, and us as the Bride. These are graphic representations of our union with Christ. The spiritual result of this union is change. As we grow in our relationship with Christ the things we used to find attractive no longer draw us. We find them less and less desirable. As Christ fills our vision we begin to walk more as He walked, which is ‘in newness of life.’ What characterized us in days gone by is no longer typical. We are new people and have new likes, new dislikes, new desires, new hopes, new patterns of behavior, and new direction. Christ is the North Star for who we are and how we do. It is not simply an overlay of rules but a spiritually organic process. 

God of grace and glory, 
we rejoice that You have united us to Christ. 
We praise You that who You have joined together, 
no one can divide. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning