The whole warp and whoof of Paul’s theology (including his theology of sanctification) is grounded in his understanding of who he is (and thus, who we are) in Christ. It is his doctrine of union in Christ that pulsates like a great melodic line running through the entirety of Paul’s thought. He’s a theologian of the preposition using phrases like “in Christ” “with Christ” or “through Christ” hundreds of times in his writing.

The Christian world is thinking and talking a lot about sanctification; how to grow in godliness and live holy lives. Amen! O that we would do so more and more! But I want to contend that in thinking through a believer’s sanctification we cannot do so rightly without first thinking through our union in Christ.

The whole warp and whoof of Paul’s theology (including his theology of sanctification) is grounded in his understanding of who he is (and thus, who we are) in Christ. It is his doctrine of union in Christ that pulsates like a great melodic line running through the entirety of Paul’s thought. He’s a theologian of the preposition using phrases like “in Christ” “with Christ” or “through Christ” hundreds of times in his writing. And this makes sense considering how Paul came to faith. While out persecuting Christians, Paul is confronted by the resurrected Jesus and Christ’s first question to him was, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”  Not Christians, but me!

That question must have struck him as incredibly significant because it took Saul another three years of focused study (Gal. 1:7) to more fully figure out that Jesus Christ was in fact one with those who believed in him as the Messiah. When Saul was out imprisoning Christians, he was imprisoning, as it were, those who were in union with Christ. He was persecuting Jesus. But how could that be?

The answer, wrapped up in Jesus’ revealing of the Trinity, is the Christ-centered work of the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ himself indwelling believers. And it’s in the Spirit’s indwelling where he brings believers to spiritually unite with Christ and thus become partakers of all that is in Christ. By the Spirit Christ is in us (Eph. 3:16-17) and we are in Him (Eph. 2:10). But the million-dollar question is this: Why do we need to be found in Christ? Or better yet, what exactly is in Christ that demands my being united with him? As it turns out, quite a lot!

Wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Cor. 1:30). Every spiritual and heavenly blessing (Eph. 1:3). Grace (2 Tim. 2:1). The immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness (Eph. 2:7). God’s Fatherly love (Rom. 8:39). Humility (Phil 2:5-7). Suffering and comfort (2 cor. 1:5). Illuminated understanding (2 Cor. 3:14). Freedom (Rom. 8:2). Peace (Eph. 2:14). Inheritance (Rom. 8:17). Eternal life (Rom. 6:23). Salvation (2 Tim. 2:10). And this is just scratching the surface!

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