Crucified With Christ and Eternal Vital Union (Santamaria)

Section 1. Introduction – The Mystery of Union with Christ

Paul’s words in Galatians 2:20 stand among the most breathtaking statements in the New Testament: 'I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.'

Here is the paradox of the Christian life: death and life held together in a single verse. The believer has died, yet he lives. He is weak, yet Christ lives in him. He inhabits flesh, yet lives by faith. All of this flows from union with Christ. This union is eternal in God’s decree, vital in its nature, and indissoluble in its security.

Section 2. Crucified With Christ – Death to Sin, Law, and the World

To be crucified with Christ means participation in His death. Romans 6:6 explains: 'Our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.' The old Adamic identity was executed at Calvary. The law’s condemnation was borne by Him (Romans 7:4), and the world is crucified to the believer (Galatians 6:14). Thus the believer lives as one dead to sin, the law, and the world, yet alive to God through Christ.

Section 3. Eternal Vital Union – Chosen in Christ Before the Foundation

Union with Christ is eternal. Ephesians 1:4 declares: 'He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world.' The elect were never apart from Christ in God’s purpose. When He died, they died; when He rose, they rose. This union is not only legal but vital, like vine and branches (John 15) or head and body (1 Corinthians 12). It is indissoluble, for nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38–39).

Section 4. Crucifixion and Union Brought Together

The believer’s crucifixion with Christ is possible only because of eternal union. As Levi was in Abraham (Hebrews 7:9–10), so the elect were in Christ at Calvary. This explains Colossians 3:3: 'Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.' Both death and life flow from the same eternal union.

Section 5. The Resurrection Side – Living in Christ

Crucifixion is not the end. Paul continues in Galatians 2:20: 'Nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.' Union ensures not only participation in Christ’s death but also His risen life. Ephesians 2:5–6 proclaims believers are already raised and seated with Him. Thus, union means crucifixion with Him in death and resurrection with Him in life, with the Spirit communicating that life daily.

Section 6. Practical Implications

- Freedom from condemnation: 'There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus' (Romans 8:1).
- Freedom from bondage: sin no longer enslaves (Romans 6:14).
- Freedom from worldly fear: the world is crucified to the believer (Galatians 6:14).
- Security in eternal love: nothing can separate from the love of God in Christ (Romans 8:39).

Section 7. Voices from History

Augustine testified: 'For in Him we died, in Him we rose, in Him we are.' Luther, under satanic assault, would cry: 'I am baptized into Christ; I am His, and He is mine.'

The Old School Baptists gave some of the clearest expressions of eternal vital union:
- Gilbert Beebe: 'The church of God never had a separate existence from her Head. She was chosen in Him, created in Him, redeemed in Him, and will be glorified in Him.'
- Samuel Trott: 'Union with Christ is not only in purpose but in life. The branches live because the Vine lives; their very life is His.'
- Thomas P. Dudley: 'The elect were in Christ on the cross, as truly as Levi was in the loins of Abraham. Their death, burial, and resurrection are covenant facts.'
- R.H. Dodson: 'When sin is nailed to the cross in our conscience, and self is laid low, then the life we live is by faith of the Son of God.'

Primitive Baptist hymnody echoed this union:
'One with Jesus, by eternal choice, / One with Him we ever must remain; / Dying with Him, we forever live, / Rising with Him, we shall ever reign.'

Section 8. Conclusion – The Hope of Glory

To be crucified with Christ is to have died to sin, law, and world. To know eternal vital union is to rest in the eternal bond that cannot be broken. Christ and His people are one: chosen together, crucified together, risen together, glorified together. Here lies the mystery and comfort: 'I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live.' The Christian’s life is not his own, but hidden with Christ in God, eternal and secure. 'Christ in you, the hope of glory' (Colossians 1:27).