# “Union with Christ reaches its zenith in adoption” by John Murray

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2025/01/14/union-with-christ-reaches-its-zenith-in-adoption-by-john-murray/
- Published: 2025-01-14T12:00:00-06:00
- Author: tollelege

“Union with Christ is the central truth of the whole doctrine of salvation.

All to which the people of God have been predestined in the eternal election of 
God, all that has been secured and procured for them in the once-for-all accomplishment
of redemption, all of which they become the actual partakers in the application 
of redemption, and all that by God’s grace they will become in the state of consummated
bliss is embraced within the compass of union and communion with Christ.

As we found earlier in these studies, it is adoption into the family of God as sons
and daughters of the Lord God Almighty that accords to the people of God the apex
of blessing and privilege. But we cannot think of adoption apart from union with
Christ.

It is significant that the election in Christ before the foundation of the world
is election unto the adoption of sons. When Paul says that the Father chose a people
in Christ before the foundation of the world that they should be holy he also adds
that in love he predestinated them unto adoption through Jesus Christ (**Eph. 1:
4, 5**).

Apparently election to holiness is parallel to predestination to adoption—these 
are two ways of expressing the same great truth. They disclose to us the different
facets which belong to the Father’s election.

Hence union with Christ and adoption are complementary aspects of this amazing grace.
Union with Christ reaches its zenith in adoption and adoption has its orbit in union
with Christ. The people of God are ‘_heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ_‘ (**
Rom. 8:17**).

All things are theirs whether life or death or things present or things to come,
all are theirs, because they are Christ’s and Christ is God’s (**1 Cor. 3:22, 23**).
They are united to him in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge
and they are complete in him who is the head of all principality and power.’

It is out of the measureless fullness of grace and truth, of wisdom and power, of
goodness and love, of righteousness and faithfulness which resides in him that God’s
people draw for all their needs in this life and for the hope of the life to come.

There is no truth, therefore, more suited to impart confidence and strength, comfort
and joy in the Lord than this one of union with Christ.

It also promotes sanctification, not only because all sanctifying grace is derived
from Christ as the crucified and exalted Redeemer, but also because the recognition
of fellowship with Christ and of the high privilege it entails incites to gratitude,
obedience, and devotion.

Union means also communion and communion constrains a humble, reverent, loving walk
with him who died and rose again that he might be our Lord:

> ‘_But whoso keeps his word in him verily is the love of God perfected. By this
> we know that we are in him. He that says he abides in him ought himself also so
> to walk even as he walked’ (**1 John 2:5, 6**). ‘Abide in me, and I in you. As
> the branch cannot bear fruit of itself except it abide in the vine, no more can
> ye except ye abide in me_‘ (**John 15:4**).”
> –John Murray, _[Redemption: Accomplished and Applied](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1955859132?tag=toletaupanre-20)_(
> Glenside, PA: Westminster Seminary Press, 1955/2024), 180-182.

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