Greatest Gift
Christ’s person, not simply his work or his applied benefits, must have the preeminence. Indeed, the gift of Christ’s person is a greater gift to us than his benefits. As many of our finest divines have vigorously argued, there exists a priority of Christ’s person over his work. Union with Christ helps us to keep this salient fact in mind. We are not simply recipients of his benefits; we also belong to him.
Mark Jones, "Foreword," in "By Faith, Not by Sight: Paul and the Order of Salvation, Second Edition", Richard Gaffin (Phillipsburg, NJ: PR Publishing, 2013), x.