Transformed Identity: Our Union with Christ

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound truth of our identity in Christ and the radical transformation it brings. Many Christians struggle with joy, prayer, and sin because they perceive their spiritual problem as minor, requiring only a small solution. However, our problem is deeply rooted in the sin of Adam, which has affected all of humanity. We are born into a sinful identity, not because of our individual actions, but because of our inherited nature from Adam. This understanding is crucial because it highlights the need for a radical solution—one that is found in Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul, in Romans and 1 Corinthians, contrasts Adam and Christ as the heads of two distinct humanities. Adam is the firstfruit of death, while Christ is the firstfruit of life. Our fate is determined by which of these two we belong to. In Adam, we inherit sin and death; in Christ, we inherit righteousness and life. This union with Christ is not just a theological concept but a transformative reality. It means that our identity is no longer based on our actions or achievements but on Christ's righteousness.

This union with Christ also brings assurance and transformation. We are clothed in Christ's righteousness, much like Jacob was clothed in Esau's garments to receive his father's blessing. Our standing before God is secure because it is based on Christ's perfection, not our own. This truth liberates us from the need for self-confidence and the emotional rollercoaster of trying to earn God's favor. Instead, we find our identity and assurance in Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Furthermore, this union with Christ is not just about personal assurance but also about transformation. As we are united with Christ, we share in His life, mission, and holiness. Our desires change, and we begin to long for holiness and freedom from sin. This transformation is not about trying harder but about being in Christ and allowing His Spirit to work in us.

Ultimately, our union with Christ is the foundation for our Christian life. It shapes our identity, assures us of our standing before God, and transforms us into His likeness. As we fix our gaze on Christ, we are changed from one degree of glory to another, anticipating the day when we will see Him face-to-face and be fully transformed.

Key Takeaways:

1. Our spiritual problem is not minor; it is deeply rooted in the sin of Adam, affecting all of humanity. We are born into a sinful identity, not because of our individual actions, but because of our inherited nature from Adam. This understanding highlights the need for a radical solution found in Jesus Christ. [01:16]

2. In Christ, we inherit righteousness and life, contrasting with the death and sin inherited from Adam. Our fate is determined by which of these two we belong to, emphasizing the importance of our union with Christ. This union is not just a theological concept but a transformative reality that changes our identity. [08:16]

3. Our standing before God is secure because it is based on Christ's perfection, not our own. This truth liberates us from the need for self-confidence and the emotional rollercoaster of trying to earn God's favor. Instead, we find our identity and assurance in Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. [22:04]

4. Union with Christ brings transformation, changing our desires and leading us to long for holiness and freedom from sin. This transformation is not about trying harder but about being in Christ and allowing His Spirit to work in us. Our desires change, and we begin to long for holiness and freedom from sin. [33:09]

5. Our union with Christ is the foundation for our Christian life, shaping our identity, assuring us of our standing before God, and transforming us into His likeness. As we fix our gaze on Christ, we are changed from one degree of glory to another, anticipating the day when we will see Him face-to-face and be fully transformed. [42:56]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:16] - The Radical Problem of Sin
- [02:26] - The Legacy of Adam
- [03:31] - Born into Sin
- [04:43] - The Hope in Christ
- [05:40] - Resurrection and the Third Day
- [06:32] - Genesis and Firstfruits
- [07:23] - Adam and Christ: Two Firstfruits
- [09:27] - Our Identity in Adam and Christ
- [11:31] - The New Humanity in Christ
- [12:49] - Justification and Righteousness
- [15:07] - Union with Christ
- [17:03] - Clothed in Christ's Righteousness
- [19:44] - Assurance in Christ
- [22:04] - The Pitfalls of Self-Confidence
- [24:45] - Transformation through Union
- [27:03] - Salvation is Christ
- [30:00] - Christ as Our Life
- [33:09] - New Desires in Christ
- [35:06] - Sharing in Christ's Life
- [37:58] - Identity in Christ
- [41:54] - Living in Christ's Life
- [44:03] - The Transformative Vision of Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 5:12-19
2. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23
3. Genesis 1:11-12

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Romans 5:12-19, how does Paul describe the impact of Adam's sin on humanity? How does this compare to the impact of Christ's righteousness? [01:16]

2. In 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, what does Paul mean by referring to Christ as the "firstfruits"? How does this concept relate to the resurrection? [04:43]

3. How does Genesis 1:11-12 illustrate the idea of "firstfruits," and how does this relate to Paul's argument in 1 Corinthians 15? [06:32]

4. What analogy does the pastor use to explain our standing before God in Christ, and how does it relate to the story of Jacob and Esau? [17:03]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does understanding our identity in Adam and Christ change the way we view our spiritual condition and need for salvation? [02:26]

2. What does it mean for believers to be "clothed in Christ's righteousness," and how does this affect their relationship with God? [19:44]

3. How does the concept of union with Christ provide assurance and transformation in the life of a believer? [24:45]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our desires and actions are transformed through our union with Christ? [33:09]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your understanding of sin and salvation. How has the sermon challenged or changed your perspective on the depth of your spiritual problem and the radical solution in Christ? [01:16]

2. In what areas of your life do you find yourself relying on self-confidence rather than your identity in Christ? How can you shift your focus to find assurance in Him? [22:04]

3. Consider your current desires and actions. How can you allow the Spirit to work in you to transform these desires towards holiness and freedom from sin? [33:09]

4. How does the analogy of being "clothed in Christ's righteousness" impact your view of your standing before God? What practical steps can you take to live out this truth daily? [19:44]

5. Think about a time when you felt like you were on an emotional rollercoaster in your spiritual life. How can the assurance of your identity in Christ provide stability and peace? [22:04]

6. Identify one area in your life where you struggle with sin. How can your union with Christ help you overcome this struggle and grow in holiness? [24:45]

7. How can you actively fix your gaze on Christ this week to experience transformation and anticipate the day when you will see Him face-to-face? [42:56]

Devotional

Day 1: The Depth of Our Spiritual Problem
Our spiritual problem is not minor; it is deeply rooted in the sin of Adam, affecting all of humanity. We are born into a sinful identity, not because of our individual actions, but because of our inherited nature from Adam. This understanding highlights the need for a radical solution found in Jesus Christ. The sin of Adam has left a profound impact on humanity, creating a chasm between us and God that cannot be bridged by our efforts. Recognizing the depth of this problem is crucial because it points us to the necessity of a Savior who can address the root of our sin and not just its symptoms. [01:16]

"For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive." (1 Corinthians 15:21-22, ESV)

Reflection: Consider an area in your life where you have tried to solve a spiritual problem on your own. How can you invite Jesus into this area to bring about true transformation?


Day 2: The Transformative Reality of Union with Christ
In Christ, we inherit righteousness and life, contrasting with the death and sin inherited from Adam. Our fate is determined by which of these two we belong to, emphasizing the importance of our union with Christ. This union is not just a theological concept but a transformative reality that changes our identity. Being in Christ means that our identity is no longer defined by our past or our failures but by His righteousness and victory. This transformation is not merely a change in status but a profound change in our nature and desires, as we are made new in Him. [08:16]

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on how your identity in Christ has changed your perspective on life. What is one specific way you can live out this new identity today?


Day 3: Assurance in Christ's Perfection
Our standing before God is secure because it is based on Christ's perfection, not our own. This truth liberates us from the need for self-confidence and the emotional rollercoaster of trying to earn God's favor. Instead, we find our identity and assurance in Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. This assurance allows us to rest in the knowledge that our relationship with God is not dependent on our fluctuating feelings or performance but on the unchanging nature of Christ's work on our behalf. [22:04]

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15, ESV)

Reflection: Identify an area where you struggle with self-doubt or fear of not measuring up. How can you remind yourself of Christ's perfection and sufficiency in this area?


Day 4: Transformation through the Spirit
Union with Christ brings transformation, changing our desires and leading us to long for holiness and freedom from sin. This transformation is not about trying harder but about being in Christ and allowing His Spirit to work in us. Our desires change, and we begin to long for holiness and freedom from sin. This process of transformation is ongoing, as the Spirit continually works in us to conform us to the image of Christ, empowering us to live in a way that reflects His character and love. [33:09]

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific desire or habit that you feel God is calling you to change? How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to help you in this transformation?


Day 5: The Foundation of Our Christian Life
Our union with Christ is the foundation for our Christian life, shaping our identity, assuring us of our standing before God, and transforming us into His likeness. As we fix our gaze on Christ, we are changed from one degree of glory to another, anticipating the day when we will see Him face-to-face and be fully transformed. This union is not just the starting point of our faith but the ongoing source of our strength and hope, as we live in the reality of His presence and power in our lives. [42:56]

"For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally fix your gaze on Christ today? What practical steps can you take to ensure that your life is rooted in your union with Him?

Quotes

"Friends, do you know why so many Christians are short on joy, shy in prayer, and so ensnared by their sin? It's because they think they have only a minor problem requiring a little salvation. And so, they think, 'Well, my problem is I've done a few bad things, and so maybe if I do some good things that will cancel them out, or, God can just forgive me. After all, there's not that much to forgive. That'll be an easy one.' In reality, our problem is so radical, it requires a solution so breathtaking, it has the power to liberate the enslaved, to strengthen the weak, and to bring both comfort and joy." [00:00:27]

"It is because of the sin of Adam that we sin and die. I confess, at that point I can hear the sirens of the thought police come wailing up the street, because this is outrageous. Because am I not the master of my fate, the captain of my soul? Do I not determine my own destiny? I think it's hard for us to hear this in a culture that is so soused in Hollywood goo, but no. We have been born into a problem that goes back before we even existed, before we had done anything." [00:02:38]

"All other humans are but seed in one of those two fruits. Adam is the fruit of death; Christ is the fruit of life. All Adam's seed in him die; all in Christ are made alive. This is the big picture of humanity for Paul. It's not that humanity is this vast throng of disconnected individuals; Adam and Christ are the two men. They are the heads, the firstfruits of the old and the new human race. And each one of us is merely a seed in one of those fruits, a member of one of their bodies." [00:08:36]

"Our fate is determined by the head of the humanity or body to which we belong. If I belong to Adam, I share his guilt. Death is my destiny, whatever I do. If I belong to Christ, all His righteousness and His life are mine. And so, all Christians, no matter how weak, can boldly say with Charles Wesley, 'No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him is mine! Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach the eternal throne, And claim the crown through Christ my own.'" [00:20:09]

"You know, you'll be up on Sunday because you've been to church, prayed, been good; down on Monday, because you've done the opposite, and feel 'He loves me; He loves me not; He loves me; He loves me not,' according to how you feel. No, we can know an assurance anchored in firm ground outside ourselves, in Christ. Christians are people who have given up all claims to both their badness and their goodness. And instead, we've gotten Christ." [00:22:31]

"This union with Christ, oh, the assurance it gives. But it also, union with Christ, it transforms. Because to speak of our oneness with Christ is another way of speaking of Christ's marriage to His people. The bride and the bridegroom have become one. We are now together. Christ and His bride, the church, together, for better, for worse. For richer, for poorer. In sickness and in health. Till death, when we meet." [00:24:36]

"The greatest benefit of union with Christ is Christ. This marriage is made so that we may know and enjoy Him. Union is the foundation, the solid foundation, allowing us to enjoy communion with Him. And take the Apostle Paul, the Apostle Paul when he's writing to the Philippians of Philippians 1, you remember he doesn't say, 'My desire is to depart and be in heaven.' He says, 'My desire is to depart and be with Christ, which is far better,' because for Paul, heaven would not be heaven. Salvation would not be salvation without Christ." [00:26:04]

"And the more you know yourself to be a child of God in Christ, the more you look to Him, the One who is your life, the deader you will find yourself to be to your sin. Sin will still allure. Always, but, you will find living in Christ, keeping in step with the Spirit, the Spirit will make old sinful desires wither, and new holy desires will start sprouting up, so that you will find yourself longing, yearning to be free of the sins that once you cherished, you'd never want to let go of, because you have a new heart that longs differently." [00:33:09]

"Our joy, our prayers, our mission, our holiness, our suffering, our hope; all are a sharing in the life of the Son. We're not simply given some thing called eternal life by God and sent out to get on with it. No. Nor are we forerunners with final responsibility. Jesus Christ is the firstborn, and we live in His slipstream, the body following the head. Do you see it? It means our union with Christ not only gives us such assurance; it is the living room of the Christian life." [00:36:39]

"And when you think that, you think, 'So, I am not primarily a Son of God in Christ, but I am successful or unsuccessful, popular or unpopular, depending on how the day is going.' And when you are not defined by Christ, you will be as fragile as a puffed-up balloon. If you begin to define yourself by success or popularity, they will matter too much to you. And if you get them, your ego will go through the roof. And if you don't get them, you will implode." [00:38:10]

"Friends, life, righteousness, redemption are found in Jesus, and are found by those and only by those who look to Him. And to be clear, it's not that we look and think, 'Okay, that's what He's like. Let me go away now and try to be like that.' No, we are changed by the very contemplating of Him. For now, 'beholding the glory of the Lord, we are transformed into His image from one degree of glory to another,' 2 Corinthians 3:18." [00:42:24]

"John writes, 'We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him.' You see, right now we become more like Him by faith, as we contemplate Him by faith. But that full unveiled sight of Him in his glory will be so majestically affecting, my very body will transform. The sight of Him now by the Spirit makes us spiritually more like Him. The sight of Him then face-to-face, will make us finally, body and soul, like Him, as He is. That is the heart of living in this life in Christ." [00:43:21]

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