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One Forever: The Transforming Power of Being in Christ
When the New Testament describes what it means to be a Christian, it uses a phrase that is everywhere in Paul's letters but almost nowhere in our churches. Overwhelmingly, when the Bible wants to describe being a Christian, it says that we are in Christ.
But what does it mean to be in Christ? And how does this important biblical idea help us understand what God has done for us through Jesus, and what it means to be a Christian?
This short book by Rory Shiner sparkles with clarity, wit and biblical wisdom on this vital and much-neglected topic.
This book is part of our Guidebooks for Life series. Like other titles in the series, it covers an important issue of the Christian life in an accessible and straightforward way.
But what does it mean to be in Christ? And how does this important biblical idea help us understand what God has done for us through Jesus, and what it means to be a Christian?
This short book by Rory Shiner sparkles with clarity, wit and biblical wisdom on this vital and much-neglected topic.
This book is part of our Guidebooks for Life series. Like other titles in the series, it covers an important issue of the Christian life in an accessible and straightforward way.
88 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2013
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61 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 25, 2023
A great, quick read that lays out the implications for being ‘in Christ’. This book was easy to read with lots of great analogies that illustrated some confusing ideas. Shiner tracks the idea of being ‘in Christ’ from creation to new creation and touches on how it impacts sin, church and relationships.
“Christianity can look prickly in the outside, while paganism looks so happy. But on the inside of paganism is an unremitting despair, and at the heart of the Christian faith is an unbelievable and unstoppable joy, because Christ is risen - and we are united to Him.” - p 80
“Christianity can look prickly in the outside, while paganism looks so happy. But on the inside of paganism is an unremitting despair, and at the heart of the Christian faith is an unbelievable and unstoppable joy, because Christ is risen - and we are united to Him.” - p 80
January 3, 2022
Unity with Christ, a doctrine that is not talked about nearly as much as it should these days. Highly recommend this. Brilliant exhortation at the end of the book.
October 15, 2024
As a Christian, our union with Jesus (being made one with him forever) is really important but often overlooked. This book does a great job of helping us understand what the Bible has to say about our being united to Jesus. It’s very readable and not long. I recommend this to anyone and everyone. I’m happy to lend you my copy. Union is up there with adoption as some of the doctrines (things the Bible teaches) that are most life-giving to my soul, and I’m sure it will be for you too!
October 1, 2023
A short and profound book on what it means to be ‘in Christ.’ Rory does an excellent job of capturing the enormity of this statement in simple and engaging terms. Highly recommended.
January 3, 2015
How Rory Shiner has managed to pack so much rich, joyous theology into a short and very readable book, I'm not quite sure - but he has. The book looks at what it means for Christians to be united to Christ, in areas such as justification, church, fighting sin, and the new creation, but it does so in a clearly understandable and practical way. Another reviewer wrote "Finally, a book on union with Christ that ordinary Christians can read" - I agree! It was a pleasure to read - thoroughly recommended.
February 2, 2024
Brilliant
A brilliant book. Simple, clear, and a short read. It explains a theological concept which is probably not dealt with enough!
A brilliant book. Simple, clear, and a short read. It explains a theological concept which is probably not dealt with enough!
September 18, 2015
How do I feel about this book? Answer: I wish I had a whole pile of copies to give to my Christian friends (as well as to non-Christians interested in this whole Jesus-business).
This is a short work, written after the material initially appeared as conference talks. So my rating is for that kind of book - a relatively quick but oh so important read. (It would be unfair to rate it for what it never tries to be.) One Forever is a book for any reader.
One thing I have found among all Christians, myself included, is the slip in grooves of language. Take the example of prayer. We know that he will always start, 'Dear God', while she says, 'Loving Father', and yet another invariably says, 'Lord and Saviour ...' None of these are wrong, but words can lose meaning by being uttered without reflection.
The same is true, even more true, for the way we discuss our connection with God. I suspect one reason we become stale in our walk of faith is that we become stale in the descriptions we use for our walk of faith.
This need no be so. God's word uses many beautiful colours and powerful patterns to describe how believers know God.
Being united with Christ is one such description. We should treasure it, and Shiner's book is a tool to help us do precisely that.
Unity with Christ, or being 'in him', is a wonderfully all-encompassing description of the Christian life. One Forever, in eight short chapters delves into some of these. For instance, being one with Jesus in his death, or being one with Jesus in his resurrection, or being one with Jesus in his body.
I won't include much more detail, because I don't want to write one of those reviews which allows us to think: Great, that's helpful and now I don't need to read the book. Please do read it! And I think you'll be encouraged by thee content, as well as the practical changes that follow a serious commitment to living in the light of union with Christ.
This is a short work, written after the material initially appeared as conference talks. So my rating is for that kind of book - a relatively quick but oh so important read. (It would be unfair to rate it for what it never tries to be.) One Forever is a book for any reader.
One thing I have found among all Christians, myself included, is the slip in grooves of language. Take the example of prayer. We know that he will always start, 'Dear God', while she says, 'Loving Father', and yet another invariably says, 'Lord and Saviour ...' None of these are wrong, but words can lose meaning by being uttered without reflection.
The same is true, even more true, for the way we discuss our connection with God. I suspect one reason we become stale in our walk of faith is that we become stale in the descriptions we use for our walk of faith.
This need no be so. God's word uses many beautiful colours and powerful patterns to describe how believers know God.
Being united with Christ is one such description. We should treasure it, and Shiner's book is a tool to help us do precisely that.
Unity with Christ, or being 'in him', is a wonderfully all-encompassing description of the Christian life. One Forever, in eight short chapters delves into some of these. For instance, being one with Jesus in his death, or being one with Jesus in his resurrection, or being one with Jesus in his body.
I won't include much more detail, because I don't want to write one of those reviews which allows us to think: Great, that's helpful and now I don't need to read the book. Please do read it! And I think you'll be encouraged by thee content, as well as the practical changes that follow a serious commitment to living in the light of union with Christ.
May 24, 2023
Rory Shiner's short book is all about what it means to be "In Christ".
Shiner explore Creation, incarnation, salvation, justification, sin, church and the end times, considering in each what it means to "in him". There are times where Rory's writings feel like their aimed at the newer Christian, but just when one gets lulled into thinking that they already understand everything he's saying, Rory catches you with a clearly articulated and insightful statement, or illustrates something with his razor-sharp wit.
If you're looking for dense theology, this may not be the perfect book, but if you want something that is encouraging, uplifting and thoughtful, then "One Forever" is a delightful read!
In our union with Christ by faith, we encounter someone who is unlike us, but who, in being unlike us, corresponds to us in a way that someone who was exactly the same as us could never correspond. We discover that Christ is not us, nor is he a 'second us', but rather he is the completion of us. When we meet Christ by faith, it i snot just a union. It is a reunion.
Shiner explore Creation, incarnation, salvation, justification, sin, church and the end times, considering in each what it means to "in him". There are times where Rory's writings feel like their aimed at the newer Christian, but just when one gets lulled into thinking that they already understand everything he's saying, Rory catches you with a clearly articulated and insightful statement, or illustrates something with his razor-sharp wit.
If you're looking for dense theology, this may not be the perfect book, but if you want something that is encouraging, uplifting and thoughtful, then "One Forever" is a delightful read!
March 4, 2024
Was 10 pages away from reading this in one sitting... Loved this, really helpful- easy to read.
"The sky is not the prison to which birds are banished, but the best place for their flourishing. An unhappy fish, making a sudden bid for freedom from the constrictions of the ocean and escaping to the land, will soon discover that the ocean was not its straightjacket, but its liberty."
"The sky is not the prison to which birds are banished, but the best place for their flourishing. An unhappy fish, making a sudden bid for freedom from the constrictions of the ocean and escaping to the land, will soon discover that the ocean was not its straightjacket, but its liberty."
April 29, 2024
There are many words to describe being a Christian: being saved, making a decision for Christ, following Christ, Christians, believers, and more.
But, did you know there’s a phrase for our relationship with Christ that is used in Paul’s letters more frequently than these, and yet we rarely use it?
Often, when the Bible describes being a Christian, it says we are in Christ.
'One Forever' explains the well-known but little understood doctrine of unity with Christ, or as Paul often says, being 'in Christ'.
As a lifelong Christian, chapters 1-3 were mostly a recap of familiar concepts:
1. That CREATION, particularly the marriage of Adam & Eve as complementary opposites, points towards our union with Christ as his church as Paul explains in Ephesians 5.
2. That the INCARNATION (Jesus becoming fully man, while remaining fully God) dignifies our humanity without flattering us. Jesus' incarnation, which we celebrate at Christmas, became the way God chose to save us, not by taking us out of the world we messed up, but by entering into our mess and providing a way for all things to be renewed.
3. That being 'in Christ' (or 'united to Christ') means that whatever is true of Jesus is true of us. In his death, he took the wrath we deserved, and in his death, our old self that deserved God's wrath also died. 'In Christ', God views us as spotless as Jesus always was. This is SALVATION.
These chapters may not blow you away if you're a long-time Christian, but they're worth reading as carefully as you'll read the second half of the book.
Shiner writes in such a clear and engaging way that appeals to those new to Christian doctrine and those who are well-versed. The familiar concepts explained with new analogies helped me to pay attention to Shiner's teaching od scripture and reap the benefit and encouragement of understanding and marvelling at these tenets of the faith afresh.
Chapters 3-7 held the real gold for me.
While I knew about salvation, Shiner's plane analogy in Chapter 3 helped me to understand that whether we have a lot of faith or only a little faith, it is the having faith in Jesus that matters. A confident frequent flyer and a second-guessing first-time flyer both reach the same destination if they have enough faith to get on the plane.
In Chapter 4, I benefitted from Shiner's careful exegesis of Romans 8:31-39. I've read the 'more than conquerors' passage countless times, but Shiner slowed it right down and looked at 1-2 verses at a time to mine the gold. In short,
- God is for us,
- God didn’t spare his own Son so we'd be silly to think he'd withhold good things from us,
(Note: God knows what is truly good for us, so when it looks like he’s withholding a good thing, he’s got something infinitely better for us.)
- God justified us with his eyes open. He knew everything we've done, are doing, and will do and still he chose to love us, call us, and justify us.
- Nothing and no one can ever separate us from God's love. Paul leaves no room for doubt here.
In Chapter 5, Shiner explains that the doctrine on union in Christ helps us resist temptation because being 'in Christ' we have a new identity. Our old, sinful self has died, and we are a new creation. Sin is not who we are anymore.
In Chapter 6, Shiner emphasises that church is full of messy people who are hard to love - and yet, it's through showing up each week with an attitude to love and serve the body of Christ that we become more like him. Church can be hard, but if you're 'in Christ', it's also the #1 vehicle for spiritual growth.
In Chapter 7, Shiner, with Paul, emphasises that just as Jesus was raised bodily, so we will be. Jesus' resurrection points to our future as a renewed creation with bodies fit for life in eternal union with God. We feel death on this side of the new creation, but it doesn't sting as it does for those with no hope. The non-Christian life may look fun, but it's driven by despair that this life is all there is. Those 'in Christ' life in hope for the future, so we can stand firm in faith and life differently on this side of heaven.
'One Forever' is a short and easy read, but don’t underestimate its depth. Like a wrap or salad, it packs a serious nutritional punch.
Highly recommend to all Christians to re-read regularly and buy a copy for a friend.
But, did you know there’s a phrase for our relationship with Christ that is used in Paul’s letters more frequently than these, and yet we rarely use it?
Often, when the Bible describes being a Christian, it says we are in Christ.
'One Forever' explains the well-known but little understood doctrine of unity with Christ, or as Paul often says, being 'in Christ'.
As a lifelong Christian, chapters 1-3 were mostly a recap of familiar concepts:
1. That CREATION, particularly the marriage of Adam & Eve as complementary opposites, points towards our union with Christ as his church as Paul explains in Ephesians 5.
2. That the INCARNATION (Jesus becoming fully man, while remaining fully God) dignifies our humanity without flattering us. Jesus' incarnation, which we celebrate at Christmas, became the way God chose to save us, not by taking us out of the world we messed up, but by entering into our mess and providing a way for all things to be renewed.
3. That being 'in Christ' (or 'united to Christ') means that whatever is true of Jesus is true of us. In his death, he took the wrath we deserved, and in his death, our old self that deserved God's wrath also died. 'In Christ', God views us as spotless as Jesus always was. This is SALVATION.
These chapters may not blow you away if you're a long-time Christian, but they're worth reading as carefully as you'll read the second half of the book.
Shiner writes in such a clear and engaging way that appeals to those new to Christian doctrine and those who are well-versed. The familiar concepts explained with new analogies helped me to pay attention to Shiner's teaching od scripture and reap the benefit and encouragement of understanding and marvelling at these tenets of the faith afresh.
Chapters 3-7 held the real gold for me.
While I knew about salvation, Shiner's plane analogy in Chapter 3 helped me to understand that whether we have a lot of faith or only a little faith, it is the having faith in Jesus that matters. A confident frequent flyer and a second-guessing first-time flyer both reach the same destination if they have enough faith to get on the plane.
In Chapter 4, I benefitted from Shiner's careful exegesis of Romans 8:31-39. I've read the 'more than conquerors' passage countless times, but Shiner slowed it right down and looked at 1-2 verses at a time to mine the gold. In short,
- God is for us,
- God didn’t spare his own Son so we'd be silly to think he'd withhold good things from us,
(Note: God knows what is truly good for us, so when it looks like he’s withholding a good thing, he’s got something infinitely better for us.)
- God justified us with his eyes open. He knew everything we've done, are doing, and will do and still he chose to love us, call us, and justify us.
- Nothing and no one can ever separate us from God's love. Paul leaves no room for doubt here.
In Chapter 5, Shiner explains that the doctrine on union in Christ helps us resist temptation because being 'in Christ' we have a new identity. Our old, sinful self has died, and we are a new creation. Sin is not who we are anymore.
In Chapter 6, Shiner emphasises that church is full of messy people who are hard to love - and yet, it's through showing up each week with an attitude to love and serve the body of Christ that we become more like him. Church can be hard, but if you're 'in Christ', it's also the #1 vehicle for spiritual growth.
In Chapter 7, Shiner, with Paul, emphasises that just as Jesus was raised bodily, so we will be. Jesus' resurrection points to our future as a renewed creation with bodies fit for life in eternal union with God. We feel death on this side of the new creation, but it doesn't sting as it does for those with no hope. The non-Christian life may look fun, but it's driven by despair that this life is all there is. Those 'in Christ' life in hope for the future, so we can stand firm in faith and life differently on this side of heaven.
'One Forever' is a short and easy read, but don’t underestimate its depth. Like a wrap or salad, it packs a serious nutritional punch.
Highly recommend to all Christians to re-read regularly and buy a copy for a friend.
August 28, 2018
This book is a faithful and direct exploration of what the biblical description of Christians being in Christ means. Shiner makes great use of illustrations to keep it clear and very engaging; he has quite an Aussie humour. And I love the blurb at the back of the book: "This short book by Rory Shiner sparkles with clarity, wit and biblical wisdom on this vital and much-neglected topic."
It's only short, and it's very accessible. Which is great, since it takes readers through some of the basics of the Christian faith in light of unity with Christ. I'd certainly recommend it to younger Christians.
It's only short, and it's very accessible. Which is great, since it takes readers through some of the basics of the Christian faith in light of unity with Christ. I'd certainly recommend it to younger Christians.
March 7, 2023
Shiner succinctly unpacks what it (Biblically) means to be ‘in Christ’. Easy to read, this book covers both some theology about it and practical implications for life. Both could be expanded on if a reader wants more, but then this would sacrifice accessibility for depth that other works can cover (and there is a place for both types of works). This is a book both for a starting point for a deeper understanding of the topic and an encouragement for (re-)examining what our life in Christ is, should, and can be more like.
Disclaimer: I know the author as an acquaintance, yet have still attempted to give an honest opinion.
Disclaimer: I know the author as an acquaintance, yet have still attempted to give an honest opinion.
January 19, 2023
A wonderful introduction to the crucial and absolutely beautiful doctrine of the union with Christ. So many great illustrations make this very readable and the pastoral character of the doctrine obvious. I only wish was Rory also touched on the covenantal aspect of the union with Christ, but maybe that's asking too much for this short book.
November 26, 2025
This offers a clear, heartfelt exploration of the believer’s union with Christ. It presents deep theological truths in an accessible, refreshing way that emphasizes grace over performance. The book is encouraging, practical, and freeing, helping readers understand their identity in Christ and inspiring a more confident, joyful spiritual life.
December 24, 2023
An okay book on union with Christ
November 26, 2014
How does Rory Shiner take an abstract concept and make it so simple to understand?
The book is Biblical and practical, and even better - it's short. Rory's writing is so easy to read that I was even reading a chapter before bed. He uses unique illustrations which explain the point clearly and stick in my mind. He even manages to be funny while talking about what it means to be united with Christ.
I loved this book. I hope everyone who reads Ephesians will read this on the side.
And I hope Rory writes stacks more books.
The book is Biblical and practical, and even better - it's short. Rory's writing is so easy to read that I was even reading a chapter before bed. He uses unique illustrations which explain the point clearly and stick in my mind. He even manages to be funny while talking about what it means to be united with Christ.
I loved this book. I hope everyone who reads Ephesians will read this on the side.
And I hope Rory writes stacks more books.
January 30, 2026
This book introduced to me my understanding of what is now my favourite benefit of the Gospel: Union with Christ.
By faith, we are made one with Jesus. We are “in” Jesus, as the New Testament repeats so many times.
It means that all He is now ours too. It means that we are counted righteous as He is. It means we are beloved by the Father as He is. It means we are partakers in the new creation as He is. It means we are heirs of the world as He is. It means we are fully known by God, united to Him forever, like a marriage between a husband and a bride.
What life-giving joy!!
By faith, we are made one with Jesus. We are “in” Jesus, as the New Testament repeats so many times.
It means that all He is now ours too. It means that we are counted righteous as He is. It means we are beloved by the Father as He is. It means we are partakers in the new creation as He is. It means we are heirs of the world as He is. It means we are fully known by God, united to Him forever, like a marriage between a husband and a bride.
What life-giving joy!!
January 7, 2016
"In our union with Christ by faith, we encounter someone who is unlike us, but who, in being unlike us, corresponds to us in a way that someone who was exactly the same as us could never correspond. We discover that Christ is not us, nor is he a 'second us', but rather he is the completion of us. When we meet Christ by faith, it is not just a union. It is a reunion." (pg.21)
"The one whose image we bear came to bear our image." (pg.26)
"The one whose image we bear came to bear our image." (pg.26)
July 31, 2020
The purpose of the book is to explain what it means to be "In Christ", which is a phrase that a lot of people might not understand properly, and there is a lot of theology to absorb.
Rory Shiner does a good job here of writing this book in a way that anyone can relate to, with some humour, and a few pop culture references - it reminds me of the preaching I am used to in the church that I regularly attend. Thus, it is an easy book for people not that familar with Christianity to start with.
Rory Shiner does a good job here of writing this book in a way that anyone can relate to, with some humour, and a few pop culture references - it reminds me of the preaching I am used to in the church that I regularly attend. Thus, it is an easy book for people not that familar with Christianity to start with.
December 13, 2014
Based on his talks at NTE, this book clearly explains what being 'in Christ' really means, how it affects your life and the joy and freedom that can be found in it. It takes a difficult and not often talked about concept, and applies it to the now, with forever in mind. It's short and mostly easy to read, though packing so much in to so few pages can make it feel kind of heavy at times.
September 29, 2022
Just read this for the second time. One of the most helpful books for knowing what it means to be a Christian, and what the Christian life looks like. Union with Christ is key to everything. So encouraging
October 30, 2015
Ein sehr gutes Buch, Theologie für die Praxis des Alltags! Ich hab mich bei jeder Seite gefreut - über die Wahrheiten der Schrift, ich die sehr verständlich rübergebracht werden, aber auch über die sprachliche Schönheit! Eine gute Leseerfahrung für Herz und Verstand!
January 10, 2023
Theologically very encouraging and easy to read. Strange tone at times trying to be funny whilst talking about something very theologically dense? I understand that idea to make it feel more accessible, but I didn't get on with that.
March 24, 2015
Excellent book. Would recommend it to anyone.
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