Transformed not Wretched: A Neglected Piece of Pauline Theology

Preamble:
Evangelical theology is steeped in Paul.  I often ask my fellow Evangelicals what is their favorite book in the New Testament.  At least two-to-one, they give me a Pauline book like Romans, Galatians or Ephesians rather than one of the Gospels.  I thought it would be a good idea to present a piece of Pauline theology that is very neglected by Evangelicals.  This neglected piece is the idea of being united to Christ ("in Christ" in Pauline lingo).  This theology has far-reaching consequences if taken seriously.  For example, the interpretation of Romans 7 comes to mind. Paul's thought is very much the same as John's conception of "abiding in Christ".

Christ became what we are, in order that we may become what he is (Irenaeus)
Here are a few of Pauline passages that will interest us:

• 1 Thessalonians 5:10  (Jesus Christ), the one having died for us, THAT... together with him we may live.
• Romans 6:8 But if we died with Christ, we believe also that we will live with him.
• 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (Christ) has died for all; therefore all have died.  And on behalf of all he died, THAT those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.
• 2 Corinthians 5:21 [see my blog on this verse] For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, THAT we might become the righteousness of God in him.
• Romans 6:11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

These passages are about the guts of Christianity.  The Christian is to be transformed (2 Corinthians 3:18).  The Christian is not left to be wretched.

Theological Upshot
Transformation is not optional (John 3:3).  We are not sinners (1 John 3:9).  This goes against the prevailing winds of Evangelical theology which stresses the wretchedness of man and the lack of transformation for salvation--we only need easy believe-ism.  No, we need the Spirit of God to transform us.  I think the bugaboo for many Evagelicals is the question "how do we get to heaven"?  If the question is asked in this manner, then it may seem reasonable to say that easy-believe-ism is the answer.  But if salvation is a broader concept than merely individual salvation, and it is, then new creation becomes the dominate conception.  If so, then individual transformation ties in nicely.