In Him

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,” - Ephesians 1:7

If you read Ephesians 1:1-14 you will find the following words used:
you (r) 4 times
our 4 times
we 5 times
us 6 times
in 16 times
God, Christ, etc. 37 times

Our union with Christ is the key theme and doctrine of Scripture in this passage. “In him” or “In Christ” is used repeatedly to remind us that we are united with Jesus Christ. Life is all because of God and everything is for him. This is a vertical unity with Jesus, however this provides us a horizontal unity with other believers. If we are “in him” we are family, we are on the same team.

In Christ we find our true identity. Anything outside of “in him” will eventually leave us wanting, hopeless, and wandering. Paul is encouraging the Ephesians, he is wanting them to know the blessing of unity with Jesus and with one another. This is why he repeats these words, they all have to do with union. I want to encourage you to read this passage today and as you do look for the words above. Take note and ask God to help you understand what all your union with Christ means.

...every aspect of God's relationship to believers is in some way connected to our relationship with Christ. From God's counsels in eternity past before the world was created, to our fellowship with God in heaven in eternity future, and including every aspect of our relationship with God in this life—all has occurred in union with Christ. - Wayne Grudem

Further Reading: Ephesians 1:1-14

Union

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me." - John 15:4

Love by its nature seeks union.

Union: the state of being joined or united or linked

We are seekers of union. We want to love and be loved. There is something inside each one of us that wants to be united with something. When God calls you into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ it isn't just something you "add on" to you current life. You are now in union with Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit that dwells inside of you. You are joined, united, and linked with the God of creation. You are now always together, you cannot be separated, nothing can break your union. Many times we lose sight of our union with Christ. Though it is an essential
part of our Theology it is many times forgotten. Our union with Christ is an amazing thing, it radically changes our perspective once we truly start to understand it. As the author Brennan Manning puts it,

"Until the love of God that knows no boundary, limit, or breaking point is internalized through personal decision; until the furious longing of God seizes the imagination; until the heart is conjoined to the mind through sheer grace, nothing happens. ...The revolutionary thinking that God loves me as I am and not as I should be requires radical rethinking and profound emotional readjustment."

Jesus, human words cannot bear the weight of Your mercy and compassion. My union with You is like being so attached that life seems impossible without You. Detached from You during my days of sour wine and withered roses was a shadow life. I have no sense of myself apart from You. My bones say thank You for this now moment. Amen.