Pastor Andrew’s Reflections on Chapter Seven

“The Evidence of Union with Christ” (pp. 63-74)

The Inner Sanctum of Puritan Piety

Pastor Andrew’s Week Six Reflections

Chapters Seven, “The Evidence of Union with Christ”

I think we have all heard at one time or another the folksy iteration of Occam’s Razor, “If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.” The principle here is that it is usually best to assume that the most obvious answer to a particular question (such as, “Is it a duck?”) is probably the correct answer.

Such it is with the question, “Am I in union with Christ?” Or perhaps we might ask of another, “Is he/she in union with Christ?” To arrive at the answer that is most probably correct, one need look no further than the individual of scrutiny, and we should always start with ourselves (Matt. 7:1-5). “Do I think, see, act, and speak like Jesus?” This is the principal question.

So how does Flavel help in unraveling this requisite knot of self-scrutiny? On page 64 of Yuille’s book, 1 John 3:24 comes to the fore, “Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.” From this verse, Flavel draws three distinct points.

First, recognition of what is being tested – does God abide in us? There are two options for the professing Christ. Either he is a dead branch superficially connected to a living tree, or he is a live branch vitally connected to and drawing nourishment from the living tree.

Second, the test of whether or not God abides in us. The only true and perfect proof is whether or not one possesses the Holy Spirit.

Third, the certainty of the results of that test. That is, are the effects of the indwelling of the Spirit visible?

From there, Flavel proposes seven of those effects that should be discernible in the life of one who claims to be in union with Christ. He does this by noting the defining works of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those in whom the Spirit dwells. So he says, the Holy Spirit is:

1.      A Convicting Spirit – everyone in Christ will be convicted of their sin because “in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).

2.      A Quickening Spirit – everyone in Christ will experience a desire to draw near to God (James 4:8), die to sin, and live to Christ (Romans 6:11).

3.      A Loving Spirit – everyone in Christ will love what Christ loves and hate what Christ hates (consider Proverbs 6:16-19 and 1 Corinthians 13:1-13).

4.      A Mortifying Spirit – everyone in Christ will put to death the deeds of the flesh and will live to Christ (Romans 8:13).

5.      A Praying Spirit – everyone who is in Christ will desire communion and communication with God even as the deer pants for water (Psalm 42:1).

6.      A Heavenly-Minded Spirit – everyone who is in Christ will long for the day when they are joined to Christ in the perfect union of the next life (Philippians 1:21-23).

7.      An Obeying Spirit – everyone who is in Christ will delight to obey all that God commands (Psalm 119:33-56).

These seven effects of union with Christ are the evidence Scripture calls us to look for in our lives as we seek assurance of God’s saving work in us. Do you recognize them in your life? Does the inner sanctum of your soul have these marks of union with Christ undergirding your confidence in the salvation that Jesus Christ has worked in you?

While living in Columbia, SC, we commissioned a piece of artwork from an artistic young lady in our youth group. The words of that artwork were from St. Augustine and have been hanging in our living room for many years.

What does love look like? 

It has hands to help others.

It has feet to hasten to the poor and needy.

It has eyes to see misery and want.

It has ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men.

That is what love looks like

May the mind of Christ dwell in you richly,

Pastor Andrew