Union with Christ is the theological framework that holds all of salvation together. Christians are not just forgiven; they are in Christ. The phrase "in Christ" (or "in Him," "in the Lord," "in Jesus Christ") appears over 160 times in Paul's letters alone. It is the umbrella under which every other blessing of salvation is found. Paul opens Ephesians with the doctrine in compressed form: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3). Every spiritual blessing. In Christ. Nothing is given to the believer except in Christ. What does it mean? Scripture uses several images. (1) Marital union — Christ is the husband, the church is the bride; in marriage they become "one flesh" (Ephesians 5:31-32). (2) Vine and branches — Christ is the vine, believers are branches; all life flows from Him (John 15). (3) Head and body — Christ is the head, the church is the body; they cannot be separated (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). (4) Federal representation — as all who are "in Adam" die, so all who are "in Christ" are made alive (1 Corinthians 15:22). Because we are in Christ, His death is our death (Romans 6:3-4), His resurrection is our resurrection (Ephesians 2:5-6), His righteousness is our righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21), His inheritance is our inheritance (Romans 8:17), His future glory is our future glory (Colossians 3:4). John Calvin called union with Christ "the highest degree of importance." The Christian's identity is not primarily "forgiven" or "saved" or even "adopted"; it is in Christ, and all the rest flows from that.