Union with Christ: The Way to Know and Enjoy God

This was probably one of the best books I've read - practical, simple and yet deep so I had to take it slow. We all know that abiding in Christ is what keeps the relationship growing but we get discouraged easily due to various reasons. This book helped me in rediscovering that truth in a deeper and more practical way.

Union with Christ is an easy read about how as believers we can know and enjoy Jesus better in our day to day life. Wilbourne breaks the book down into different sections which allows the reader to better follow and what he is sharing. While not my favorite book on this subject, this is definitely a good resource for folks wanting to go deeper in this area.

I was given this book by Litfuse Publicity Group.

A good and deep read. Not short simple or fast. This is not a devotional book.

The reader needs to dig in to get the meat of this subject. To have 'real' Union With Christ is what we all as Believer should desire.

This book provides resources that will provide the reader with answers to some of the questions that many of us ask...

Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I headed? How will I get there?

This would be a great book for a group study. There are no real study questions but I think that a group discussion would make the reader dig a bit deeper.

Union With Christ would make a great gift is the type of book to keep in your library for future reference and deeper study.

I received a complimentary copy of Union With Christ from Litfuse.

Wilbourne writes, "One of the major arguments of this book is that union with Christ was once considered to be at the very heart of why the gospel is good news. Nothing is more basic or more central to the Christian life than union with Christ."

I would highly recommend this book because of the topic as well as a thorough treatment of the subject. The book is divided into four parts: Union with Christ: What is it and why do we need it; Union with Christ: Where did it come from? Where did it go?; Union with Christ: What problems does it solve?; and Union with Christ day by day.

Rankin Wilbourne does an excellent job explaining what union with Christ is and why it is important. His definition is union with Christ means you are in Christ and Christ is in you. For the rest of part one, he explains what it looks like to live in the gap between what we know and what we experience. I found Chapter 2 helpful and almost highlighted an entire page because of the good news there.

In Part 2, Wilbourne shows from Scripture where the idea of union with Christ is found. He also cites various people throughout church history and how they viewed union with Christ. Chapter 6 is helpful to explain why union with Christ is not understood or known about in the church. His reasons for this were helpful as I have found them to be true as I try to explain the concept to others.

In Part 3, Rankin discusses how union with Christ answers our deepest questions: Who am I?; Where am I headed?; What should I be doing?; and What can I hope for along the way? As one who often talks about our identity in Christ, I appreciated the chapter on identity. Wilbourne clearly points to how union with Christ is the root of our justification and our sanctification. The final chapter in this section cites how important staying focused on Christ is. He writes about Jesus being seated, being our sympathetic high priest, and that He is with us and for us along the way.

In Part 4 of Union with Christ, we see how union with Christ is important in our day to day lives. Wilbourne uses the image of abiding and what that includes. With a topic like union with Christ it is difficult to explain how to make it practical. Often most attempts fall flat as they focus too much on self and not enough on God. Wilbourne's perspective of abiding was helpful and kept the focus on Christ not the Christian.

If you "acknowledge the gap between the inheritance we've been given and our present experience of how we see ourselves," then Union With Christ is the book for you. I don't know that I have read any book on the subject that answered so many questions that I have been asking regarding the discrepancy between our knowledge of Christianity and our experience of it.

I received a free copy of Union With Christ by Rankin Wilbourne to be part of a blog tour for an honest review.

If you use your imagination, as the author suggests from the very beginning of this very challenging book, your life will never be the same again.

Rankin Wilbourne, commercial banker turned pastor of Pacific Crossroads Church in Los Angeles, California, recognizes the necessity of union with Christ. In his own words, As our understanding and appreciation of union with Christ has diminished, so too has our sense of what salvation means. We may know what we have been saved from, but have we lost sight of what we have been saved for?

1 Corinthians 1:9 declares, God is faithful; you were called by Him into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. And throughout scripture, we find example after example of individuals who recognized the necessity and the joy of this union.

Taking readers gently by the hand, author and pastor Rankin Wilbourne explores four questions as he tries to close the gap between the Creator and His creation: Union With Christ: What Is It, and Why Do We Need It; Where Did It Come From, and Where Did It Go?; What Problems Does It Solve?; and Union With Christ Day By Day.

Im writing this review, because the review is due today. But my journey is not complete. I havent finished the book. While I have been a believer for over 30 years, have a B.A. and M.Div. in Pastoral Studies, and am called to minister the gospel, I can honestly say that I have never heard anyone speak about our union with Christ as Pastor Wilbourne does.

He uses the illustration of the blind man from Bethsaida, who needed a second touch to completely cure his blindness. Thats where Im at with this book. Its long, 320 pages. Its challenging. Its not a coffee table book; its one that belongs in the serious study section of ones library. Its not a devotional. This is meat, and you are going to have to chew it.

Having said that, when you consider the spiritual plight of our nation, its about time a few more Christians grew up. The Apostle Paul lamented the fact that I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, because you were not yet ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready, because you are still fleshly." 1 Corinthians 3:2 3 (HCSB).

Please, get this book. Every believer needs to recognize the necessity of union with Christ. And I havent come across a better introduction to the subject than this book by Pastor Rankin Wilbourne.

5 stars for a challenging read