The Mystery of the Union
Part One
Paul writes his letter to the believers in Galatia in order to combat the false teaching of legalism. His frustration is seen most evident in Galatians 3:1 when he asks “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?” Paul had taught these believers the freedom in Christ found by believing in his death and resurrection for our sins. Yet since his departure from them, the Galatian believers have fallen prey to those who would preach the false doctrine of legalism. Paul though, gives reason and hope for the work of faith in the believer. Paul states that he was “called by God’s grace, to reveal His Son in me” (Galatians 1:15-16). Нe also speaks of his angst for his beloved Galatians while “Christ be formed in you” (Galatians 4:19).
Paul chooses his words here to describe Christ as someone who is not separated from mankind by space and time. Clearly Paul understands Christ to be both formed and revealed IN us. Christ is not found at some far-away place, choosing to be near to us at certain times yet not at others. Nor can we on our own, work in such a way or believe “hard enough” so that Christ will then come to us and be near to us. Paul says that He is in us; how much closer can Christ be to us than to be in us? So, if He is in us, then we must be created to contain Him. For one thing to be able to be in something else, the thing must have the capacity to contain. So now since Christ is in us, what does that look like? Paul gives us the boldest of statements in Galatians 2:20 when he says, “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” Paul’s radical statement reveals to us the freedom we have in Christ. We share the cross with Christ by putting to death the notion that “I” can live by myself and unto myself. This is the lie of the independent “I” that Paul states must be put to death. Gloriously, though, that death of the “I” manifests the life that we have in and by Christ Jesus. Though “I” am dead, I nevertheless live. But Paul quickly catches himself and replaces the “I” with a great emphasis by saying, “No, it’s not the I that lives but it is Christ that lives. Jesus Christ has replaced the independent ‘l’ that I have believed about myself.” So not only does Christ live in me, but Christ also lives out through me. My life and His life mix and mingle where it is impossible to say where one stops and the other starts. The boldness of the message of union with Christ is found here in Galatians 2:20. Paul tells us again in his epistle to the Colossians that our life is mixed with Christ’s life. He also explains that our union with Christ is hard for us to see with our human eyes. In fact, he calls it a mystery.
“Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints. To them, God would make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:26-27).
The union reality is both wonderful and mysterious at the same time. Even Paul’s own teaching on union is done not with detailed exhortations on the subject. Even though the riches and glory of the ways and will of God were revealed to Paul unlike most any other man or woman, the union reality is still not easily taught and imparted. There no single letter of his that can contain the depth and breadth Christ-union. However, he weaves a tapestry of faith and doctrine and revelation throughout his letters to the believers in the early church and for us today as recorded in the Scriptures. is of Again, he chooses his words carefully to show that Christ is found IN us. We can see this over and over again in his letters, and he reinforces this point. Christ is not found out there somewhere, separate from us. He does not visit us or become near to us at moments in time. He is found IN us. Now, Paul proclaims this magnitude of union. Riches and glory are words used to describe our position of Christ-in-us. Union must not be passed over or taken lightly. Riches and glory are wonderful, magnificent, and something to be sought and treasured. We know that Christ came so that “we might have life, and have it more abundantly.” Now we can see how we are to be fulfilled with abundant life. Our abundance is Jesus himself, living in us.
Continued in the next issue…
