Introduction
As Christians, we are called to an intimate partnership with Jesus Christ. This partnership transforms every area of our lives and empower us to walk in the fullness of God’s purposes. In this post, we will explore what it means to be a partner with Christ and how this partnership can reshape our identity, priorities, relationships, work, and mission.
Key Takeaways:
- Through faith in Christ, we become partners with Him in a new covenant relationship.
- Partnership with Christ enables us to share in His authority and participate in His ongoing work.
- This partnership reorients all aspects of life around loving and serving God.
- Abiding in Christ is essential for bearing fruit in partnership with Him.
- Partnership with Christ empowers our gifts, resources and abilities for Kingdom impact.
The Basis of Partnership
Our partnership with Christ is rooted in the new covenant established through His life, death and resurrection. When we place our faith in Christ, we are united with Him and brought into a covenant relationship. Several passages lay the foundation for understanding this partnership:
2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
Galatians 2:20 NKJV – “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
1 Corinthians 6:17 NKJV – “But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.”
These verses illustrate the mystical union we now share with Christ through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We are in Christ, and He is in us. We have been made new creations, crucified and raised with Him. This vital, spiritual union is the starting point for every other aspect of our partnership with Him.
Sharing in Christ’s Authority
One of the implications of being united to Christ is that we share in His authority. Jesus said all authority in heaven and earth has been given to Him (Matthew 28:18). As partners with Christ, we are called to exercise His spiritual authority here on earth. Consider the following Scriptures:
Luke 10:19 NKJV – “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
Matthew 16:19 NKJV – “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
John 14:12-14 NKJV – “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”
As we abide in Christ and allow His authority to flow through us, we can exercise power over the demonic realm, announce the presence of God’s Kingdom, and see supernatural answers to prayer. Partnership with Christ entails sharing in His spiritual authority.
Participating in Christ’s Work
In addition to His authority, Christ invites us to participate in His ongoing work here on earth. Jesus said we would do even greater works than He did by the power of the Holy Spirit (John 14:12). He has commissioned us to advance His Kingdom and has equipped us with spiritual gifts and abilities to carry out His work. Consider the following ways we partner with Christ:
Reconciliation and healing – Jesus reconciled humanity to the Father and demonstrated God’s heart for restoration and healing. We partner with Him as ambassadors of reconciliation, bringing the message of salvation and praying for the sick (2 Corinthians 5:18-21, Matthew 10:1).
Making disciples – Before ascending to heaven, Jesus commissioned His followers to make disciples of all nations. We further His mission through evangelism, discipleship, church planting and missionary work (Matthew 28:18-20).
Standing for truth and justice – Jesus boldly confronted religious hypocrisy, challenged unjust systems, and defended the marginalized. We partner with Him by speaking truth to power, fighting oppression in society, and serving the poor and needy (Matthew 23, Isaiah 58:6-7).
Releasing creativity – Christ’s work involved creative expressions like storytelling, miracles, and service. We partner with Him by teaching, making art, innovating new solutions, and meeting practical needs with creativity (Exodus 35:30-33, Matthew 14:13-21).
In all these areas, our good works are an expression of Christ at work through us by the power of the Holy Spirit. Through partnership, our lives become an extension of His life.
Renewing All of Life
This partnership with Christ has implications for every area of life. His Lordship leads to a reorientation of all that we are and do around loving and serving God. Consider how this partnership can reshape our identity, priorities, relationships, vocation, and use of resources.
Identity – We are new creations in Christ, called and empowered to share in His identity as beloved children of the Father (Ephesians 1:3-6, 1 John 3:1-3).
Priorities – Loving God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength becomes our highest priority. We seek His Kingdom above all else (Matthew 6:33).
Relationships – Our relationships become centered on honoring Christ by displaying His selfless love. We forgive others as Christ forgave us (John 13:34-35).
Vocation – We view our work as a mission field and opportunities to reveal God’s glory through acts of service. Excellence honors the Lord (Colossians 3:23-24).
Resources – Time, talents, and treasures are generously invested to further God’s purposes rather than selfish gain. We steward everything for God’s glory (1 Peter 4:10-11).
From the biggest decisions to mundane daily tasks, partnership with Christ brings every sphere under His loving Lordship.
Abiding in Christ
Fruitful partnership depends on abiding in vital union with Christ. He emphasized this in John 15:5 NKJV: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
Abiding looks like maintaining a life of intimacy through practices like Scripture meditation, worship, prayer, Sabbath rest, and fellowship with other believers. As we abide in Him, we gain wisdom, strength, love and power to partner effectively.
Abiding also involves obedience and yielding our lives fully to Him. Sin and unbelief disrupt our connection to the Vine. As we submit all areas to Him daily and walk in holiness, we position ourselves to receive His life and bear much fruit.
The invitation to partnership is open, but the benefits are only experienced as we abide deeply in Him.
Empowering Our Gifts
Our partnership empowers the use of our God-given gifts and abilities. Ephesians 2:10 NKJV tells us “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” God has gifted each of us and intends our gifts for Kingdom purposes.
As we yield our unique passions and talents to God, He infuses them with grace and power they wouldn’t possess on their own. What seems small and insignificant gets multiplied exponentially when placed in the Master’s hands. Consider a few examples:
- A teacher surrenders her gift of explaining complex subjects to be used in instructing young people. God empowers her words to impart life-changing wisdom.
- An administrator releases his talent for systems and logistics to serve at his local church. God uses his gift to remove obstacles so ministry can thrive.
- A musician offers her voice and instrument to lead worship. As she lifts up Christ in song, many are drawn into God’s presence.
- A businessman dedicates his company resources to fund ministry initiatives. Through partnership, commerce becomes Kingdom finance.
Every gift becomes more effective when it operates in conjunction with Christ’s purposes and power. He takes our mustard seeds of talent and produces a great harvest.
Conclusion
Partnership with Christ radically alters how we see ourselves and live our lives. Through spiritual union with Him, we share His authority, participate in His work, renew all aspects of life under His Lordship, abide in intimacy with Him, and allow our gifts to be empowered for greater impact. This partnership is a sacred privilege. May we embrace the invitation to link our lives with His and watch amazing fruit emerge.
