“These seven ‘togethers’ are seven links of a chain which bind us indissolubly to Christ: Crucified together; quickened together; raised together; seated together in Heavenly places, sufferers together; heirs together; and glorified together with Christ. They indicate the everlasting purpose of God in our redemption, and His plan in effecting that purpose.”
– anonymous (Leaves of Gold, pg. 122)
The above observation brings to mind a statement I made recently while preaching. The statement was, “As it is with Christ, so also it is with us; as it was with Christ, so also it will be with us.” For example, consider the Christian belief in a bodily resurrection. Why do we believe ours will be a physical resurrection? Because Christ’s was a physical resurrection. As it was with Christ, so also it will be with us. Notice how the above observation is supported in scripture:
“…our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with,” (Romans 6:6)
“Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:11)
“Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4)
“(God) raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6)
“…if indeed we suffer with Him…“ (Romans 8:17b)
“…and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ…”(Romans 8:17a)
“…so that we may also be glorified with Him“ (Romans 8:17c)
Each of these truths, with the exception of one precious contribution from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, are explicitly mentioned in the book of Romans. We might think of it as a “Romans Road, Part II.” Whether Romans or some other New Testament text, these seven realities of the Christian journey remind us of how God does a complete work with us. From start to finish, God accomplishes our redemption, leaving nothing undone. The movement takes a course similar to another section of Romans, this in chapter eight where Paul describes the Christian as those whom God foreknew, predestined, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified (vs. 29-30). Do you see the progression? Start to finish, God gets it all done.
To borrow the familiar language of Romans 8:31, “What then shall we say to these things?” If God is for us in such an all-encompassing way, what could possibly defeat us? In Jesus the work is complete. Now Jesus simply leads us along the path he has already established. The lyrics of an old hymn come to mind. “He will give me grace and glory, and go with me all the way.“
See you along the Winding Path.
The Winding Path 