Union with Christ
Discipleship is about following Jesus, the greatest man who has ever lived in the history of the world. Trying to follow in our own strength is futile, leading either to pride or despair, so God gives us our salvation in Jesus. Before we ever follow Him, we believe in Him, and everything He did is ours. This is our union with Christ, what John Murray calls “the central truth of the whole doctrine of salvation not only in its application but also in its once-for-all accomplishment in the finished work of Christ.” Our position in Jesus is the foundation of the entire Christian life. We start, continue, rest and finish here. All things cohere in Christ, including faith and works, justification and sanctification.