Union with Christ

Does God Really Delight In Us?

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The question of whether God delights in humanity is both profound and deeply personal, touching on the nature of Divine love, human worth, and the relationship between Creator and creation. Within Christianity, various theological traditions offer nuanced perspectives on God’s delight in us. Today, I would like to show how both conservative and reformed Christians answer the title question. By synthesizing their viewpoints, a cohesive understanding of God’s delight in us can be found.

Conservative Christians are often characterized by their high view of Scripture and an emphasis on a personal relationship with God. which leads them to affirm that God delights in His people. This perspective draws heavily from biblical passages that depict God’s love and affection for humanity. Zephaniah 3:7 states, “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” This verse paints a vivid picture of a God who not only loves, but also rejoices over His people with emotional warmth.

Passages similar to the above are often cited as evidence of God’s personal and relational nature. They emphasize that God created humans in His image (Genesis 1:26-27), endowing them with inherent worth and dignity. Even after the Fall, God’s pursuit of humanity through the covenants, the giving of the Law, and ultimately the incarnation of Jesus Christ demonstrates His desire for relationship. The New Testament reinforces this with verses like John 3:16 which underscores God’s love as the motivation for sending His Son.

In the conservative Christian view, God’s delight is particularly evident in the redeemed — those who have accepted Christ’s atoning sacrifice. This view points to verses like Psalm 147:11, “The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.”, to argue that God takes pleasure in the faith and obedience of His followers. However, this delight is not based on human merit but on God’s gracious choice to love and redeem sinners. The conservative perspective thus balances God’s holiness with His relational affection, affirming that believers are cherished by a God who is both just and loving.

The Reformed tradition approaches the question of God’s delight through the lens of Divine sovereignty and election — God’s eternal decree to save a particular people for His glory. While the language of “delight” may be less emotive in the Reformed discussion, the concept is present, framed within the doctrine of God’s good pleasure.

In this view, God’s delight in humanity is primarily tied to His elect, those chosen before the foundation of the world for salvation (Ephesians 1:4-5). This delight is not based on human worthiness, as humanity is totally depraved and incapable of earning God’s favor (Romans 3:10-12). Instead, God’s delight flows from His sovereign will to glorify Himself through the redemption of sinners. As Ephesians 1:5-6 notes, God predestined believers “for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will – to the praise of His glorious grace.” Other passages such as Isaiah 62:4-5 are pointed at where God’s relationship with His people is likened to a bridegroom rejoicing over his bride, to affirm that God takes pleasure in His covenant people. However, this delight is understood within the context of God’s immutable nature. Unlike human emotions, which fluctuate, God’s delight is eternal and unchanging, rooted in His decision to love on His people (Deuteronomy 7:7-8) This viewpoint also underscores that God’s delight is ultimately Christ-centered. Believers are accepted “in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6) meaning God’s pleasure in His people is mediated through their union with Christ. Because Christ is the object of the Father’s supreme delight (Matthew 3:17) those who are in Christ share in this Divine favor. God’s delight, then, is not contingent on human performance, but on the finished work of Christ.

While these two viewpoints differ in emphasis, they converge on several key truths:

  1. God’s delight is rooted in His nature Both perspectives affirm that God’s delight flows from His character as a loving and gracious God. Conservatives emphasize the emotional and relational aspects of this delight while the Reformed highlight its sovereignty and eternal nature. Together these views present a God who is both deeply personal and supremely authoritative, delighting in His people because of who He is.
  2. Humanity’s worth is derived from God. Both traditions agree that human beings have no inherent merit to earn God’s delight. Conservatives stress the Imago Dei and God’s redemptive love while the Reformed underscore humanity’s total depravity and election. Together they show that God’s delight is an act of grace, not a response to human achievement.
  3. Christ is central to God’s delight. Both viewpoints center God’s delight in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Conservative highlight the relational restoration made possible through Christ’s sacrifice while Reformed theology emphasizes union with Christ as the basis for Divine favor. Together they show that God’s love is not a vague sentiment, but a concrete reality grounded in truth.
  4. God’s delight calls for response Both see God’s delight as transformative. Conservatives often frame this as a call to personal obedience and faith, encouraging believers to live in light of God’s love. Reformers emphasize the perseverance of the saints, viewing God’s delight as a motivator for holiness and worship. Together they inspire believers to respond with gratitude, trust, and devotion.

Some final notes. Conservative Christians run the risk of anthropomorphizing God when emphasizing His relational warmth. Reformed Christians run the opposite risk, downplaying the emotional richness of God’s love. A synthesis mitigates this by presenting a more balanced view of God, who is both sovereign and relational, eternal and intimate.

The question “Does God really delight in us?” finds a resounding YES in both traditions. Together, they proclaim a God who delights in His people not because of their worthiness but because of His gracious choice, manifested by the redeeming work of Christ. This truth is both humbling and exhilarating. It calls us to rest in God’s unchanging love, to live in gratitude for His grace, and to worship the One who rejoices over us with singing.

The Meaning of Union With Christ

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The concept of union with Christ lies at the heart of Christian theology and is a subject I have been delving deeply into this past year. Few groups have articulated its significance as vividly as the Marrow Men, a circle of 18th Century Scottish theologians, including Thomas Boston. They were influenced by Edward Fisher’s The Marrow of Modern Divinity and championed the free offer of grace and the believer’s intimate, transformative connection with Jesus. For the Marrow Men, union with Christ was not a dry doctrine, but the very essence of salvation and the Christian life. For a fuller treatment of the Marrow Men, a good resource is Sinclair Ferguson’s The Whole Christ.

To grasp union with Christ, we begin with a simple yet profound truth: believers are “in Christ.” This New Testament phrase – woven through Paul’s letters and Jesus’ teachings – describes a spiritual bond that redefines who we are. The Marrow Men leaned on this rich, biblical imagery to bring this reality to life.

+ The Vine and the Branches (John 15:5) Jesus is the vine and we are the branches, drawing our spiritual reality from Him. Apart from Him, we can do nothing.

+ The Head and the Body (Ephesians 4:15-16) Christ is the head, directing and sustaining the church as His body, with every part united under His care.

+ The Bridegroom and the Bride (Ephesians 5:25-32) This tender love between Christ and His church mirrors the closeness of this union.

These pictures reveal that union with Christ is no mere legal transaction. It is a living, breathing relationship — organic, intimate, and life-giving. Through faith we are joined to Jesus, and in this union, we receive every blessing of salvation.

This union with Christ is a golden thread running through the gospel. Indeed, it is the gospel, the good news. Here is how this union shapes key aspects of our redemption:

Justification – When we are united with Christ, His righteousness becomes ours. On the cross, He took our sins; in exchange, we receive His perfect standing before God. Our acceptance isn’t earned — it’s a gift rooted in connection with Him.

Adoption – Union with Christ brings us into God’s family. As Jesus is the Son, we become sons and daughters, sharing His inheritance. We can cry “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15) embraced by the same love that rests on Christ.

Sanctification – This union does not just declare us holy — it makes us holy. United to Christ’s resurrection life, we are empowered to die to sin and live for righteousness. The Marrow Men stressed that this growth in holiness flows naturally from our new identity, not from grit or guilt.

Union with Christ is the fountainhead of all spiritual blessing. It is the core of what it means to be saved.

The Marrow Men faced their share of critics back in the 18th Century and the same charges are laid against those who believe in salvation by grace alone today. They were charged with antinomianism – the notion that grace cancels out the need for obedience. After all, the critics said, if we are united with Christ and secure in His righteousness, why bother with God’s Law? The Marrow Men rightly answered their critics by insisting that union with Christ doesn’t erase the Law, it actually fulfills it.

Far from breeding lawlessness, this union with Christ ignites a desire to obey. When we taste Christ’s love and grace, we are changed from within. Obedience becomes a joyful response, not a grim duty or obligation. The Holy Spirit, working through our connection to Jesus, renews our hearts, aligning our wills with God’s will. This is the authentic path of holiness — not forced compliance but a life reshaped by love.

So, what does this mean practically? How does this truth help us live day to day. For one, it brings comfort in trials. Life can be brutal but union with Christ offers unshakable hope. If we are united to Him in His death, we will be united in His resurrection (Romans 6:5). No matter the storm, He is with us and we are secure in Him.

Secondly, it gives us assurance of salvation. Doubts may creep in, but union with Christ anchors our confidence. Our salvation rests on His finished work, not our shaky efforts. Because we are in Him, we can rest assured of God’s unchanging love.

Third, it gives us a motivation for holy living. Knowing we’re united to Christ stirs us to reflect His character. As we grasp our new identity — forgiven, adopted, empowered — we are driven to live for God’s glory, not out of fear but out of gratitude and joy.

Imagine a weary traveler, burdened by guilt and failure, suddenly finding themselves welcomed into a king’s family. That’s the daily reality of union with Christ – a truth that lifts us up and spurs us on.

As the Marrow Men rightly understood, union with Christ is the heartbeat of the gospel. It is the foundation of our salvation, the source of our growth and the comfort of our souls. This union invites us to marvel – that we, broken and unworthy, are bound to Jesus — forgiven in His death, alive in His life and destined for His glory. In a world of striving and doubt, this doctrine shines as a beacon of grace. To be in Christ is to be complete, secure and forever His. Let that truth sink in — and let it change everything.