With Christ

by Dan DeVitis

ftentimes identification occurs when we associate ourselves so deeply with another that feelings of close emotional ties develop. Many are there who so identified with a little girl’s fight for life over the last few years that an intercessory burden reached deep into their beings.

I am convinced that such levels of identification go beyond the realm of emo-tion and enter the realm of the spirit. When our spirits become gripped in such a way, the gripping does not fade as an emo-tion may quickly change. Emotions are so volatile, but not so the things of the spirit. Many of those intercessors had never met the little girl, or her parents, yet the grief of her passing hurt deeply.

In short, spiritual identification is more of a “union with” the heart of another rather than a “response from” the situation of another. This kind of identification actually causes an inward change that abides, not as an outward response or “feeling” that all too soon passes.

This Easter, as we contemplate the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, we are called again to an ultimate identifi-cation, one with that finished work of Christ on the cross.

As we identify with Christ’s death for us, we realize our death with Him. There is a finality--we are to reckon, or identify, on what is past. (Fromke, Ultimate Intension)

We use the past tense saying with Paul: “I have been crucified with Christ…” Gal. 2:20 Thus, our identification with Christ:

I died with Christ (Rm. 6:6)

I was buried with Christ (Rm. 6:4)

I was made alive with Christ (Eph. 2:6)

Now I am seated with Him (Eph. 2:6)

And, made alive from the dead, we are being clothed with a “new man” created according to God in true righteousness and holiness. Eph. 4:24