One with My Lord: The Life-Changing Reality of Being in Christ

by Sam Allberry, Crossway (publisher)

A Practical Devotional Guide to What It Means to Be "In Christ"

Followers of Jesus refer to themselves primarily as "Christians," but the New Testament frequently used a more meaningful "in Christ." Disconnected from this deeper understanding of the gospel, believers today can miss out on the significance of unity with the Lord and its power to enrich every area of their lives.

In One with My Lord, Sam Allberry examines the doctrine of union with Christ through a rich study of New Testament scriptures. Each chapter is short enough to use as a devotional, giving believers a fresh lens to view the gospel daily as they pursue holiness, resist sin, build community, and worship God. In a time when people are searching for a place to belong, One with My Lord reminds believers that they have a perfect home in Christ.

Rich exposition of New Testament scriptures through short, devotional chapters Practical Help listeners view every area of their lives and faith through the lens of being "in Christ" From Sam Author of What God Has to Say about Our Bodies and coauthor with Ray Ortlund of You're Not Crazy

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christian Living, Faith, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Devotional

Audible Audio

Published September 17, 2024

About the author

Sam comes from Sevenoaks in Kent, but studied theology at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford, and has since worked at St Ebbe's Church, Oxford, and now serves at a church in Maidenhead. Hobbies include reading, watching The West Wing and anything to do with South-East Asia.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remain convinced that union with Christ is the most underrated doctrine among evangelicals. This new book brims with powerful explanation, illustration, and application. Read and profit.

[Hannah Stob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! Sam has an incredible writing style, his use of metaphors is SO GOOD. He makes really great connections that are easy to follow and relate to, many times with his own personal experiences.

I was challenged to dig deeper in my own relationship with the Lord and am thankful to have this book to refer back to!

[Lydia Schafer · Rating 4 out of 5]

SO GOOD. I've never thought so deeply about union with Christ. Sam does a great job explaining not just what union with Christ IS but also everything that changes when one is "in Christ." As per the usual with Sam Allberry's books, he has an absolutely beautiful mix of scripture and imagery that helps concepts stick with you. Phenomenal book.

[Trevor Wheeker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read a book in a long time that has helped me make sense of what it means theologically to be a Christian, but reading this book was a very centering experience for me. In a world obsessed with identity, it’s important that believers have a robust sense of self. Union with Christ is a doctrine that should bring great confidence to believers and One With My Lord is a great guide to thinking critically about how this doctrine should effect how we view ourselves as God’s people in God’s world. I would highly recommend this book to believers young and old.

*sent to me for review by Crossway, but these thoughts are my own genuine reflections*

[Annelise Peck · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Our union means he is right with us, all the time and forever. There is not a waking moment we ever need to spend away from him. He’s closer than anyone else ever could be.” !!!!!

[Emily Waits (emilylovesreading_) · Rating 5 out of 5]

{Thank you to @crosswaybooks for my gifted copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.}

“Being in Christ is central to how the New Testament describes Christian life.”

“Without an understanding of what it means to be in Christ, our view of the Christian life becomes blurry.”

This book is absolutely phenomenal.

This book covers the deep theology of unity with and through Christ and what it really means to be found in Him. The book covers the topics of being found in Christ, saved in Christ, justified in Christ, new in Christ, holy in Christ, together in Christ, and continuing in Christ. (These are also the chapter titles!)

“One with My Lord” is such an important book, because I believe we’ve collectively moved away from much of the New Testament language regarding being IN Christ rather than simply followers of Christ. The truth that Christians are IN Christ is profound and a great joy and assurance!

This book will encourage you so much and help you to understand the relationship of Christ to His Church and to YOU, better.

Sam Allberry always does an excellent job explaining and illustrating his points, while also providing practical application points. This book is no exception!

Highly recommend!

[Lindsay Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best spiritual book I have read this year. Lots of good take aways but a big one is I feel like I finally understand 1 John 3:6 (no one who abides in him continues to sin) and can read it without anxiety and doubt because of Allberry’s writing on it. Grateful for his labor for the church on this topic and will be thinking about union with Christ a lot more from here on out.

[Tim Michiemo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.1 Stars

“One With My Lord” by Sam Allberry is an insightful and uplifting exploration of union with Christ. Rather than delving into the theological intricacies of how we are united to Christ, Allberry focuses on the profound implications of this union. The result is a deeply encouraging devotional that highlights the extravagant blessings of being in Christ. This book serves as a powerful reminder of our identity in Him, both reassuring and enriching for Christians. A recommended read for those seeking to deepen their understanding of their relationship with Christ.

[Danita · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, readable primer on the most precious gift of the gospel: union with Christ.

[Kelli Galloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good and practical. My likely pick for G&P women summer 2025.

[Richard Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this topic. The Christian’s union with Christ is so central to who we are, and yet so often misunderstood or ignored. Allberry does a great job of laying it all out there and taking the reader on the tour of many implications. Readers will be grateful for the well written book and rich ideas inside.

[Sydney Winchester · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars
Some chapters had great story examples and clear points, and some chapters were just okay in my opinion. Still enjoyed the book overall and got some good nuggets from the theme of being "in Christ".

[Caleb Batchelor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as I found it so insightful. It made me think deeply about how I remain united with Christ in my relationship with him, and also horizontally with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Towards the ending Allberry speaks intentionally about prayer and it is exactly what I needed to hear.

[Hannah Erickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a worthwhile read! It’s an awesome and accessible introduction to Union with Christ that anyone could read and understand!

[John Damon Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

perhaps the best contemporary introduction to Union with Christ I've read thus far. the personal, pastoral and anecdotal tone of it kinda makes me want to have Rev Allberry as my vicar.

[Daniel Ligon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Union with Christ is probably one of the least discussed but most important Christian doctrines. I feel like I am just beginning to scratch the surface of knowing what it means to be in Christ. This book certainly helps. Sam Allberry is articulate, encouraging, and helpful as usual. Although this is not a long book, it is accessible and clear, and will be a valuable asset to any Christian desiring a better understanding of what exactly it means to be united with Christ.

[Jake Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! I agree with Allberry that union with Christ is perhaps the most underappreciated doctrine of the Christian faith. Being "in Christ" is the foundation for almost every benefit the believer experiences such as justification, forgiveness of sin, prayer, assurance, etc. and it is the grounding for Christian community. This book is highly accessible and could be used as a devotional or in group study. Highly recommend.

[Maddy De Smit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got through this one quickly because it was such a great read and I discovered the joys of audiobooks on Hoopla 🙌🏻 This book made me so excited to learn more about the doctrine of union with Christ and I know I will be seeing it everywhere when I read the Bible now!

[Sarah Metcalfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll be returning to this book—yearly, even. Union with Christ isn’t a new doctrine to me, but every analogy, story, and insight Sam offers felt freshly revelatory. I found myself talking back to the pages: “That’s good,” “Yes, exactly!” It stirred my affections and deepened my understanding in a way that felt both familiar and brand new.

One moment I’ll never forget is when Sam describes taking a flight with a friend who was a pilot. He reflects on the experience of walking past the other passengers, entering the cockpit, and feeling like a VIP—not because of anything he had done, but because of who he was with. He writes:

“I was able to go where I could go only because of who I was with. It wasn’t about my credentials. It was about his.”

Shoot, that shook me. The Lord met me sweetly with this book.

[emily spilman · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book took much longer to finish than necessary but to no fault of the book. i truly have enjoyed every sam alberry book ive read & i think this one is my new favorite. alberry is personal & honest. alberry so concisely & thoughtfully breaks down what our union with christ means. he takes theological language & concepts & breaks it down to clear understanding. i thought his analogies were clever & actually brought understanding. i would recommend this to any believer but this would be a great read for discipleship relationships. i feel like im finishing this book just so encouraged & more in love with christ.

[Natalie Knopp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This goes into my top 10 list of books. The way Allberry describes oneness with Christ and how that shapes everything about our being is beautiful. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to learn what it means to be “in Christ” and I’m thankful I left this book with a deeper understanding of what that means.

Allberry ends this book by saying this:
“So wherever else might be true of me in this world, whatever else I might one day find myself to be- in love, in debt, or (like Paul) in prison- nothing can take away from the surest reality: being in Christ.”

[Matthew McGill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Sam and his writing. This book is a collection of reflections on our union with Christ, which he argues is one of the most important and most beautiful Christian doctrines in our day and age. His writing is so accessible to so many people, and the analogies he uses are both compelling and help me understand ideas better. I am forever changed and no longer defined by my sin because Christ decided to seal himself with me in an eternal and everlasting union!!

[Micaiah Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam Allberry never misses! This book was no exception. The doctrine of unity with Christ was one that I hadn’t spent much time thinking about, but this book challenged me in my walk with the Lord. Such a rich book and such an important read for all who are in Christ!

[Peter Yock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I suspect no one who reads this book will be disappointed. Warm-hearted, simple, easy, profound, heart-wrenching (in a good way). It made me cherish my union with Christ more than I have before. This book helped me to realise the riches that we have in Christ.

[Jacob Gerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paints a very helpful picture of what it means to be IN CHRIST. It’s not just a thing to say, but a truth to live. Clear points straight from Scripture.

[Olivia Ginther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a 2024 favorite. Simple and profound.

[Ava Rideout · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unity with Christ! Being in Christ!
Side note: Audio-booked for free on Spotify. One of my top books of the year.

[alyssa belle coffey · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We have it all when we have him because he not only has it all but is all in all.”

[Lauren Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ THIS BOOK. lots of thoughts but my biggest take away is that God loves me and I am safe in Him