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United

What does it mean to be united? We live in the United States of America, where fifty independent states cooperate together as a single unit. When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, the United States rallied together because an attack on Hawaii was an attack on the whole. When Muslims terrorists flew planes into the World Trade Center, all fifty states responded with a loud voice.

It is a good thing to be united with someone who will have your back. Think about Pearl Harbor: Hawaii was not even a state at that point, but because the territory was united with the greatest nation on earth, they were not alone to face the Japanese attack. 

Being united with someone is good, so long as the one you are united with is good. You do not want to be stuck with someone that is detrimental to you. Fortunately, as Christians, we are united together with the best Person for us: Jesus.

Romans 6:5 says, "For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His."

The Greek word translated as "united with Him" is symphotos, where we get our English word symphony. A symphony, of course, is a musical composition consisting of several different instruments; when they perform together, they make one beautiful piece of music. 

We are united together with Jesus, as if we are playing in a symphony with Him. But the only way to be united with Him in life is to first be united with Him in death. Jesus died a literal death and invites us to join Him in a symbolic death where we take up our own cross and die to our old way of life. Our natural self breathes it last and we put it in the grave with the Lord.

But Jesus didn't stay in the tomb, and neither do we. He walked out alive in a resurrected body, and we will do the same. When this life is over we will be given imperishable bodies suited for eternity on a restored earth. Then we will be united with Christ in a perfect life forevermore. 



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