Grafted In
Sam Van Aken describes himself as an artist. His art involves grafting. He takes branches from one type of fruit tree and grafts them on to another. Many people do this, but not quite to the extent that Sam has. He has one tree that now produces 40 varieties of stone fruits, including plums, apricots, cherries, nectarines, and almonds. This process of grafting is really quite amazing.
It’s a process that’s been known for millennia. Jesus mentions it in John 15. He is the vine and we are the branches. By grace God has grafted us into the vine. It’s a remarkable illustration of what it means to be united to Christ.
Sadly, union with Christ doesn’t always receive the attention it should. We’re accustomed to thinking of our identity as Christians in other ways, such as being covenant people or being children of God. Yet the idea of union with Christ appears numerous times in the New Testament as a way of understanding who we are. Let’s briefly explore this vital spiritual connection to our Saviour.
The Nature of Union with Christ
There are four things we can say about the nature of our union with Christ. These four things will help to define this connection more concretely.
First, it is a spiritual union, not a physical one. Unlike in marriage where husband and wife physically become one flesh, the believer’s union with Christ is non-physical. Sometimes it’s also described as a mystical union – the idea is the same. But to clarify, mystical does not mean mysticism, where there is a loss of personal distinctions between Christ and the believer. In union with Christ, Christ and the believer remain personally distinct from one another.
Next, union with Christ is legal in nature. All the blessings of Christ become rightfully and entirely ours. What he has, we now have too, including things like justification, adoption, and sanctification.
Third, it is an organic union. There is a principle of life involved. Just like the grafted branch becomes alive with the tree into which it’s grafted, believers live spiritually in and through Jesus Christ.
Finally, our union with Christ is indissoluble. That means it can never be revoked or overturned. Once united to Christ, always united to Christ. This is because the believer’s spiritual union with the Saviour is rooted in election. We were elected to be grafted into Christ, and so just as our election is irrevocable, so is our union with Christ.
How Union with Christ Happens
While the believer was certainly predestined to be in Christ, and this before the creation of the world, the actual union with him takes place in time and space. It can only happen after we’ve been conceived and born and brought into this world. The mechanics of this union need to be considered from two angles.
From God’s side, union with Christ is effected through the presence and work of the Holy Spirit. He lives in Christ – he is said to be the Spirit of Christ (Rom. 8:9). The same Spirit also dwells in believers (1 Cor.6:19). The Spirit can be said to be like the sap flowing between the vine and the branches, bringing vital life to the branches so they may bear fruit. When the Holy Spirit comes to fill a believer, he unites him or her to the Saviour through himself.
From our side, union with Christ is said to happen through faith. Gal. 2:20 explains it thus: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” From our side, faith connects us to Christ. Our resting and trusting in him is like getting plugged into a power source. Now when we say this, we need to add that this faith which unites us to Christ is also a gift of the Holy Spirit. Also from our side, he is involved with grafting us into Christ.
Why Does It Matter?
So why does union with Christ matter for the life of a Christian? Why does the Bible make such a big deal about it?
First, union with Christ is about our solidarity with him. This matters for our deliverance. Our redemption from sin depends on our being united with Christ in his death and resurrection. We need to be crucified with him so we may be raised with him. That can only happen through our union with him.
Second, union with Christ is about transformation through him. This matters for our sanctification, for our growth in holiness. When we understand that we’re united to Christ and it’s at the forefront of our minds, it has a transformative effect on our thoughts, words, and behaviour. “If I’m united to Christ, should I be thinking, saying or doing this? What difference does my union with him make at this moment where I have to make a moral choice?” This is all about the fruit Jesus speaks about in John 15. We’re united to him to bear the fruit of personal, God-glorifying holiness.
Finally, union with Christ is about our enjoyment of our relationship with him. Union with Christ leads to communion or fellowship with him. Believers can enjoy that now already in this age, but in the hereafter they will enjoy their relationship with Christ in a way that we can’t even fathom right now. It will be mind-blowingly beautiful. As we enjoy our communion with him now, we look forward to the time when nothing will disrupt or interfere with our enjoyment of him ever.
Conclusion
Every believer is united to Christ, even if they might not be aware of it or think in those terms. I can recall several instances in pastoral ministry where I encouraged someone to think in those terms in relation to some challenge they were facing. In each instance, I was met with confusion. They didn’t know what I was talking about. Naturally, I explained it and then, I hope, it made sense and they were able to work with it. So, dear believer, I hope this explanation helps you to have a better grasp on this vital part of your identity, that it may help you enjoy Christ and glorify him forever.
