I have been teaching adult Sunday School lessons for several years, mostly senior adults. Without fail, regardless of the topic or the scripture, the lesson always circles back to what Christianity is all about, which is Christ In Us. It’s like a gravitational pull, an immutable law. The Bible throughout leads us to the same answer, the Good News, about the mystery which is Christ in Us.
Ironically, this week’s lesson is titled United with Christ. The writer mentions how unfortunate it is that the doctrine of “union with Christ” doesn’t get a lot of attention. How right he is! I wonder if he knows just how right he is.
The scriptures in this lesson come from John 15:
John 15:1-8 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fr
uit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Now any well-read Christian can quote these scriptures off the top of his/her head. The problem comes down to, when we utter these words, do we really “know” what they mean to us personally? Like so many overused words, phrases, and scriptures, at some point they become trite and lose their meaning. Scripture and answers are often parroted back without knowing their true meaning. “Born again” is an example of a term that has become trite. Everyone uses this term, but do they really know what born again means?
It is admirable to know the Bible and to be able to quote scriptures. The answers are right there. But that doesn’t mean everyone sees them. Only God can give us eyes that see and ears that hear. As I start this blog and have just finished my first book, I am totally overwhelmed (or maybe underwhelmed) with the volume of material out there about how to live the Christian life. The problem is so much of it just scratches the surface. It’s a mile wide and an inch deep, authored by a mental knowledge of the scriptures lacking the deep down knowledge that defies words.
So let’s start with one fundamental truth. Christianity is not a way of life. It is Life! That may seem like a little nuance, a play on words, but it is critically important. We began with John 15 and that is what it is telling us. We can pull any another scripture and examine it closely and, if you have eyes to see, it will say the same thing.
Since the topic is Union with Christ, let’s pull some other scriptures that solidify what we are talking about. First of all is Galatians 2:20, the theme for this blog. Paul says, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Another well used scripture.
Let me ask, does it quicken? I mean, does something deep down inside of you jump for joy when you read these words whether or not you completely understand? If not, don’t worry. God reveals all in His due time.
Let’s take another verse which puts it all in a nutshell, one of my favorites:
1 Corinthians 6:17 17 But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.
To me, this is one of the most profound verses in the Bible. It says that if we are in union with Christ, if we are joined to him, we are ONE spirit! Not two! ONE!
Like Christ was one with God, so now we are one with Christ. And if one, we already abide in him. We don’t have to try to abide. Christ did it all.
I know when we get into verses like this, John 15 and other verses like John 17: 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me, that things start to get very lofty and esoteric, but it is all right there staring us in the face. We just need ask God to lift the veil that we might truly see all He has done for us and He has done it all. Fruit is a natural result of our abiding in Christ. All we have to do is believe.
Stay tuned as we delve deeper into this mystery which is Christ in Us.
The Lost Coin by Samuel Hayes Sherwood is now available on Amazon. See how the mystery of Christ is unraveled.
I so enjoy your book! I was in this state around a year ago! I wanted so much to talk to someone who understood what I was feeling about our Lord and Savior! There are few who tear up when they read the Word, few whose heart just pounds when the scripture speaks to them!
I’m just a little way in but really enjoying it! Thank you for writing “The Lost Coin”!!!!!!
This poem I wrote recently is my “thank you” for this page. “God’s beautiful poetry coming through my hand, the scriptures in “the book” helps one understand,how nourishing is His presence,,the Great provider is there,sending us the message to Shine, telling the world to care.”