I recently spoke with Kyle Worley about his upcoming book, Home with God: Our Union with Christ. The book explores what it truly means to be united with Christ. The concept is profoundly beautiful when you let it sink in.
At its core, union with Christ means being spiritually incorporated into Him. It's not just some theological idea, but a real and permanent reality for those who put their faith in Jesus. As Kyle explained, this union begins the moment we believe and cannot be shaken, no matter what storms we face in life. It's an unbreakable foundation for our identity, rooted in Christ's finished work on the cross.
But here's where it gets really powerful: Kyle uses the metaphor of being "home" with God to help make this dense theology feel personal and intimate. Just as a loving home provides shelter, warmth and belonging, being in Christ means we have a spiritual home in Him, enveloped by God's infinite love and presence. For those whose earthly homes were imperfect or even painful, the idea of an eternal home with our Heavenly Father can bring tremendous healing.
I was struck by the distinction Kyle made between our permanent union with Christ and our ongoing communion with Him. Union is irrevocable, but communion — that close relationship and fellowship — can ebb and flow based on our obedience and prayer life. But never doubt, even when you feel distant from God, that unbreakable union is still yours in Christ.
Contemplating this reality should shape how we preach the gospel too. We're not just offering forgiveness, but an invitation into an eternal home and an adoptive family, with all the celebration and deep relationship that implies. Those are just glimpses of the insights I found so compelling from this interview.
I hope you enjoy this episode. Embracing the profound reality of our spiritual union with Christ is life-changing. It provides such unshakeable security and belonging, while also motivating me to nurture that communion through prayer, obedience and extending Christ's welcoming heart to others.
You can listen to the podcast here:
You can also check out other resources from Kyle, including his Substack and his excellent podcast Knowing Faith.
Key Takeaways
- The metaphor of 'home' is used to explain union with Christ. A home represents a dynamic place of love, conversation, and presence, paralleling the intimate and spiritual relationship believers have with Christ.
- For those whose experiences of home have been painful, the metaphor of a 'home with God' offers redemption and healing from past wounds.
- Worley distinguishes between union (permanent identity in Christ) and communion (ongoing relationship). Though communion can be disrupted, union remains unbreakable as it is based on Christ’s faithfulness.
- Believers should focus on enjoying their relationship with God, extending his welcome to others, and embodying the understanding of union with Christ in everyday interactions.
- Presently, believers experience small tastes ("Dixie Cups") of God’s blessings, which will be fully realized ("oceans") in the future.
