A good starting place in trying to understand this grand concept of participation with Christ in His person, and work, is to bear in mind from Scripture that the work of the Holy Spirit is to graft the believer into Christ, as a gardener would graft the branch of a tree into the main body of another.
The Apostle Paul dwells upon this grafting process in Romans 11 for true conversion is just this. It is a grafting of a person into Christ. We must be rooted into the very trunk of the Eternal Godhead, and we are. The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. (Rom. 8:17)
Not only does the Holy Spirit unite us into Christ, but also He brings conviction of the sin of a divided heart. The Lord does not want us to be double minded, but to seek Him with all of our heart and mind, and soul and body.
When the heart is united, when the life is grafted into Christ and rooted in Him, there is such an essential unity that the life of the Lord becomes our life. And all that has happened, and does happen to Him, happened and happens to us.
The reality of this spiritual truth is reflected in a cardinal Pauline doctrine, which is that we have been co-crucified with Christ. In spiritual language, Christ died at Calvary, but so did every believer! Consider the following passages:
“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.” (Gal. 2:20)
“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” (Rom. 6:6)
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Rom. 6:1-2)
“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:3)
For Paul, identification, and a participation in the crucifixion of Christ, was something very real.
The realization of a co-crucifixion with Christ helps us to understand other spiritual realities of participation with Christ.
Gospel Truth. We are participates of Christ’s resurrection.
“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” (Eph. 2:6)
“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.” (Gal. 2:20)
Gospel Truth. We are participants of Christ’s ascension.
“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 2:6)
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” (Eph. 1:3)
“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” (Rev. 3:21)
Gospel Truth. And we are participants of Christ’s victory over sin and Satan.
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” (Heb. 2:14)
“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days.” (Col. 2:14-16)
Here is a great truth. We are not able to imitate Christ until we learn what it is to participate with Him in all that He has done, and is doing. Does Christ pray? Let us pray.
Does Christ seek to save the lost? Let us seek to save the lost. Does Christ reign over sin and Satan? He has made us kings and priests unto our God.
Does Christ live without sin? Let us not be in bondage to anything.
We are designed to live, and move, and have our freedom, and our life, hidden in God in Christ Jesus.
As we read the Bible, let us look for those passages that teach how we participate in Christ, in His death, His burial, His resurrection, His ascension, His session, His present reign, and His soon return.
If you are without hope today, if you are without Christ, and without eternal life, we want you to know the love of God, and His grace and forgiveness. This is found in receiving Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Come to Christ. Call upon the name of the Lord and thou shalt be saved.
We also want to say to that Christian who, like Lot, has been troubled by inappropriate living. God understands. Something, or someone, has robbed your heart of the joy of salvation.
There is fear of loss of salvation.
There is fear of dying.
There is fear of the Day of Judgment.
The invitation is to believe this gospel truth, “The Lord Jesus abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself.” Why not come confess your fearfulness, and unbelief, and reaffirm your faith in Jesus today?
Why not do that now?
“While we pray and while we plead,
While you see your soul’s deep need,
While our Father calls you home,
Will you not, my brother, come?
Why not now? Why not now?
Why not come to Jesus now?
Why not now? Why not now?
Why not come to Jesus now?
You have wandered far away;
Do not risk another day;
Do not turn from God your face,
But today accept His grace.
In the world you’ve failed to find
Aught of peace for troubled mind;
Come to Christ, on Him believe,
Peace and joy you shall receive.
Come to Christ, confession make;
Come to Christ, and pardon take;
Trust in Him from day to day,
He will keep you all the way.”
~D. W. Whittle