As Christians, we know we’ve been saved by Christ, we should look
like Christ, and we can have a relationship with Christ. But we rarely
consider how all this depends on our union with Christ.
The whole of our salvation can be summed up with reference to this
reality. Union with Christ is not a single specific blessing we receive
in our salvation. Rather, as Michael Horton points out, it is the best
phrase to describe all the blessings of salvation, whether in
eternity (election), in history (redemption), in the present (effectual
calling, justification, and sanctification), or in the future
(glorification).
Every blessing is received “in Christ” (Eph. 1:3).
No part can be excluded from our union with him. This is the foundation
and basis for all his gifts. So while it’s appropriate for theologians
to talk about an “order of salvation” (ordo salutis) whereby we
are called by the Spirit, born again, moved to faith and repentance,
justified, adopted, sanctified, preserved, and glorified, we must never
separate these benefits from the Benefactor. Every blessing in the order
of salvation flows from our union with Christ. As John Murray said, “It
is not simply a step in the application of redemption; when viewed,
according to the teaching of Scripture, in its broader aspects it
underlies every step of the application of redemption. Union with Christ
is really the central truth of the whole doctrine of salvation not only
in its application but also in it once-for-all accomplishment in the
finished work of Christ.” Continue Reading...
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