Communion with God

Therefore, as I have already said, He (Christ) caused man to cleave to and to become one with God. For unless man had been joined to God, he could never have become a partaker of incorruptibility. For it was incumbent upon the Mediator between God and men, by His relationship to both, to bring both to friendship and concord, and cause God to welcome man, and man to present himself to God. For, in what way could we be partakers of the adoption of sons, unless we had received from Him through the Son that fellowship which refers to Himself, unless His Word, having been made flesh, had entered into communion with us? Wherefore also He passed through every stage of life, restoring to all communion with God.

St. Irenaeus of Lyons

Against Heresies III, 18, 7; ANF I, p. 448.