The following list of references has been pared down by removing verses which do not apply to our study of the what, how, who, and why of the “in Christ” reality. For example, “faith in Christ” (ex., Acts 24:24) and “hope in Christ” (ex., 1John 3:3) are not about our position in Him, but Him being the source of those things.
There are also “in him” references where the person referenced is not Christ, and “in Him” where the person referenced is either the Father or the Holy Spirit. Lastly, references in which “in” has been translated as “through” – again indicating Christ as the source (or conduit) – in other reliable Bible translations have also been removed from our list.
As you can see from the lists that follow, our conservative approach still leaves much to draw on in our search for the “in Christ” reality – a supernatural reality into which all Christians are born. We hope you will join our search, for…
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. Proverbs 25:2
You will find glory in it!
What is our reality in Christ?
…for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, “For we are also His offspring.” Acts 17:28
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1
To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 1Corinthians 1:2
But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God–and righteousness and sanctification and redemption… 1Corinthians 1:30
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 2Corinthians 2:14
But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 2Corinthians 3:14
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2Corinthians 5:17
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2Corinthians 5:21
Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification. 2Corinthians 12:19
And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage)… Galatians 2:4
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, Ephesians 1:3
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians 1:7
…that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth–in Him. Ephesians 1:10
In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will. Ephesians 1:11
…and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus… Ephesians 2:6
…that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel… Ephesians 3:6
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
…so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ… Philippians 1:13
Therefore if [and there is] any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy… Philippians 2:1
For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh… Philippians 3:3
I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14
And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. Colossians 1:17
Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Colossians 1:28
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. … For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ… Colossians 2:6-7, 9-11
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 1Thessalonians 4:14
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus… 2Timothy 1:1
Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 2Timothy 1:13
You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2Timothy 2:1
Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 2Timothy 2:10
Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2Timothy 3:12
…that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. Philemon 1:6
But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. …you will abide in Him. And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 1John 2:5-6, 27-28
Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ… Jude 1:1
How do we get there?
He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. John 6:56
Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Romans 6:3
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3:27
For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 1Corinthians 4:15
But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ... when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 2Corinthians 3:14,16
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. Galatians 5:6
…just as He [God] chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love… Ephesians 1:4
But God… raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus… Ephesians 2:4-6
Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. 1John 3:24
Who put us in Christ?
But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God–and righteousness and sanctification and redemption… 1Corinthians 1:30
Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God… 2Corinthians 1:21
…just as He [God] chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, … In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians 1:4, 7
…that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He [God] might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth–in Him. Ephesians 1:10
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us… and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus… Ephesians 2:4,6
…that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He [God] might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth–in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will. Ephesians 1:10-11
Why did God the Father do this?
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:5, 8
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2
…so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Romans 12:5
But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God–and righteousness and sanctification and redemption… 1Corinthians 1:30
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 1Corinthians 15:22
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 2Corinthians 2:14
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2Corinthians 5:17
Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification. 2Corinthians 12:19
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3:27
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28
…that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth – in Him. Ephesians 1:10
In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will. Ephesians 1:11
…that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:12
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
Therefore if [there is] any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Philippians 2:1-2
For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell… Colossians 1:19
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 1Thessalonians 4:16
…that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. Philemon 1:6
He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. 1John 2:6
And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. 1John 3:5-6
I am genuinely astounded at the number of direct references to the “in Christ” side of our relationship with Him, and even more so to their assertions, promises, and encouragements. Next time, we will report on our research into the meaning and implications of “in Christ.” Until then…
The fruit, the foretaste, and the fellowship of God’s own rest are found by them who have come to Jesus to abide in Him. It is the peace of God, the great calm of the eternal world, that passes all understanding and that keeps the heart and mind (Andrew Murray, 2003).
God bless you with hunger and love of the truth.
Humbly yours and forever His,
Rob
#iamjustthepen
Murray, A. (2003). Abiding in Christ. Bethany House: Bloomington, MN.