FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20
John 15:1-7
1 Corinthians 6:15-20

“Thou art my hiding place…”

THE SPIRIT UNITING TO CHRIST

Whereas the unbeliever is separated from God and bound for everlasting damnation, the believer is one with Christ and shall dwell with Him eternally in the future to come. Our union with the Lord is likened to that of the vine with its branches (John 15:5) or members of the body with the head (1 Cor 12:27; Eph 5:23, 30). It is a close, continuous, intimate and vital union, and ensures for each believer unspeakable blessings and benefits both now and in eternity to come. How did we come into the blessed position of union with the Lord? It is altogether the grace of God that worked this marvelous relationship. For at one time we were “aliens… and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Eph 2:12-13).

The Gospel declares to us God’s redemption in Christ. It is the Holy Spirit who draws us to Christ to receive Him as Saviour and Lord. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us…” (Titus 3:5). And it was not only by His excellent mercy, but it was also “the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe…” (Eph 1:19).

Being saved now we are united with Christ, a mysterious and spiritual relationship. In John 15:4-5, our Lord says, “Abide in me, and I in you… He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” This vital union between a believer and the Lord is the Spirit’s work: Christ indwells the believer by His Spirit; the believer abides in Christ by faith (which is a gift of the Spirit).

Furthermore, “…if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he… shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you” (Rom 8:11). We conclude then that the Spirit bonds us to Christ, making us one with Him to share in all that are His! Hallelujah, what a salvation! United to the King of kings!

THOUGHT: How can I know if I am united to Christ?
PRAYER: Lord, help me always to abide in Thee as Thou art in me.