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(7)
"Manifested with" in glory (Col. 3: 4).
Sun phaneroo.
REALIZATION.
(6)
"Seated with" in heavenly places (Eph. 2: 6).
Sugkathizo.
RECKONING.
(5)
"Raised with" (Col. 3: 1).
Sunegeiro.
RECKONING.
(4)
"Quickened with" (Eph. 2: 5).
Suzoopoieo.
RECKONING.
(3)
"Buried with" (Rom. 6: 4).
Sunthaptomai.
RECKONING.
(2)
"Dead with" (II Tim. 2: 11).
Sunapothnesko.
RECKONING.
(1)
"Crucified with" (Rom. 6: 6).
Sustauroo.
RECKONING.
The first six steps in this blessed ascent are taken during the present life: the seventh
and last step awaits the resurrection. The first six steps are taken while we are still
mortal; the seventh and the last step awaits immortality. The first six steps are ours only
by "reckoning". Steps 1, 2 and 3 are beyond our personal participation. Steps 4, 5 and 6
are a kind of first fruits. The seventh and last step will be ours in "reality".
Not until every vestige of the old nature has gone completely can there be any "real"
union with the holy Son of God. During this life that union is by "reckoning", but in the
life to come the believer can be truly united with the Risen Christ by virtue of the New
Life which is the gift of God through the offering of His Son, and conferred upon the
believer at the Resurrection. Here at length all barriers to complete union will have been
dissolved, and what was hitherto enjoyed by the gracious principle of reckoning will then
be enjoyed in reality.
No believer has been actually "crucified with Christ"; he can be graciously
"reckoned" so, but no more. No believer has actually "died with Christ"; he can only do
so by "reckoning". This principle of "reckoning" is the first true link between the
Saviour and the saved. He, the sinless One was "reckoned" with the transgressors, so that
they could be "reckoned" with Him in His sacrificial work. No longer is He "with" us
only (meta) in close association; He is also one with us (sun) in a blessed and eternal
union.
Every one of these seven steps has already been dealt with in the course of our
exposition of Romans, Galatians, Ephesians and Colossians, but there is more in them
than any one exposition can ever hope to reveal, and the consideration of them as a series
is demanded by reason of their extreme importance.
When these seven steps to full Realization have been examined, there will be
necessitated a still further series, which must include those other references to the
believer's union with Christ that lie outside this great ascent.