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By Hank Walker | Pastor at Peach City Fellowship

Just as the union of a man and woman in marriage is fundamental to the earthly family, union with Christ is fundamental to the Christian life; it is not merely an additional blessing but the very essence of being a Christian.

As I sit here, I am thinking of my son who will be married to his beautiful bride in (a very short) eleven days. With the excitement and busy days of preparation for such a momentous event, he has probably not thought much about how his marriage is a spiritual “mystery,” ordained by God as a picture of Christ’s unity with His people—the church. Paul states, “‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.” (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:31–32). The relationship between the church and Christ mirrors a marital union, emphasizing deep intimacy and commitment.

Another way the believer’s unity with Christ is illustrated is through the concept of Jesus as the “firstfruits” of our salvation (Romans 5 and 1 Corinthians 15). Paul writes, “As in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:22–23). This passage highlights that individuals are either in Adam or in Christ; we do not exist as isolated beings. Our identity is fundamentally linked to one of these figures. The imagery of firstfruits distinguishes our old humanity IN Adam from our new humanity IN Christ.

This concept connects to Genesis, where the fruits created on the third day contain seeds within them (Genesis 1:11–13). Just as seeds are inherent to the fruit, our identity in Christ signifies our removal from Adam and re-grafting into Christ, reflecting the notion of being “born again.” Understanding the significance of union with Christ transformed my Christian experience, as I realized I stand before a holy God not through my own merits but clothed in Christ.

In conclusion, both illustrations—the marital union and the firstfruits—serve to deepen our understanding of the profound significance of our union with Christ, shaping our identity and relationship with God.

Grace and peace, y’all. Soli Deo Gloria