The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum United to God

Is a Christian more closely united to God being "one in Christ", than Adam before the fall?

Could you please define: "closely united"?

Perhaps a super fullness in regards to eternity and the great mystery concerning Christ and the church. Genesis 2:23 bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh:

Presently, we still sin and though we are now "one in Christ," sin still temporarily stains us and thus the full pleasure of union (for both God and the elect) will not be until we are glorified (we presently live in "the now, but not yet"). However, Adam was on probation, but the redeemed of the Lord are not--thus in a way there is a closer union.

When glorified man dwells on the new earth (being unable to sin), they will be "more" like Christ (the glorified God-Man). Adam did not have this "type" of unity (he could sin and the God-Man was not yet born). In addition, Adam had the opportunity to mature in his union (relationship, etc.) with God, but failed, and in our glorified states we won't because we can't fail.

One element that definitely enhances our relationship (that Adam did not "experience" in the Garden before the Fall) is the fullness of God's love, for "no greater love hath a man than this that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). Prior to the Fall, (though Adam walked and talked with the God of total love and justice), he had never experienced God's justice and Christ had not yet died for him. Adam did not experience this fullness of the manifestation of the glory of God prior to the Fall. Thus, while I would not say it will be a "closer" union, I think it would be proper to say it will be a more "mature" and "different" (different because the composition of the Trinity has changed; i.e. Son of God<>God-Man) union.

There is much that could be added, but hopefully this helps.

William,

I would tend to say that the answer to your question is both "Yes" and "No". Joe gave some good comparisons in his reply why this would be so, although I do think that Adam experienced more of a relational fullness than we do now since there was not the stigma of sin hindering his relationship with God which still occupies our natures. I trust that many a Christian, when the account of Adam "walking in the Garden with the Lord" is read, feels a great yearning in their soul and covets that which Adam had, i.e., to walk hand-in-hand with the Lord, Who I believe was the pre-incarnate Christ. Yet, we have a fullness of assurance of eternity of union with Christ, something Adam did not have due to the substitutionary work of our Lord Christ. Although we have the promise of eternal life now, that promise is immutable and thus we have much more to look forward to than Adam ever could have had.

So, subjectively I would say Adam had more of a fullness of union. But objectively, we now have more of a fullness of union. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

In His grace,

J Edwards

Thank you that was very clear and enlightening.

Yes, thank you. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/applause.gif" alt="" />