I hope I approach this delicately since I know this is common language used to describe the relationship Christians have with Jesus Christ. To be honest, I don’t know how this terminology originated but I believe it is a more recent phenomenon. While I know this to be a widely embraced concept that relates the presence of the Lord with us, I want to reconcile how this fits with in terms of the nature of God, and specifically how this relates to the Christian’s union with Christ.

It is essential for Christians to understand God’s character and works according to his triune nature. God is one yet operates at all times interdependently as three distinct persons. All activity of God is according to the Father’s will. The Father sent the Son so that God could be fully revealed to humanity (Colossians 1:19; 2:9). The incarnate Son of God took on humanity such that he was fully God and fully man and gave himself as a living sacrifice so that the righteousness of God may be imputed onto those who believe in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:21-26).

Prior to his death, burial and resurrection, he informed the apostles that he was going away but that he would send the Advocate, who would be with them just as he was (John 14-16).  After the resurrection, he ascended into heaven where he sits at the right hand of the Father (Acts 2:33; Hebrews 1:3; 8:1; 12:2). Union with Christ occurs because the believer is given the Holy Spirit who baptizes us into the kingdom (Galatians 3:27; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13-14).  The Holy Spirit enables us to accept God’s truths and turn our affection towards him through belief in the Son. The filling of the Spirit (cf Ephesians 5:18) means that the Spirit influences us to live lives of obedience, trust and worship of the one true God. But Christ himself is with the Father. Continue reading →