Most Christians would agree our relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important relationship in our lives. Consequently, we give much attention to the matter in our study, prayer, worship, etc.

Recently, the Holy Spirit revealed something of an imbalance in this area – that I have invested most of my attention into the “Christ in me” perspective at the exclusion of the equally important matter of my position “in Christ.”

For example, when I consider the Vine and Branches parable in John 15, my thoughts center on the life of Christ flowing in and through me – His life producing fruit that glorifies our Father in heaven. While this is incredibly important and profitable to consider, “Christ in me” is not possible without me “in Christ”.

I don’t know why I’ve given comparatively little thought to the Father grafting me into Jesus Christ and keeping me there, but I feel encouraged to pursue the matter further. I am excited anticipating the search. I hope you will join me.

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,

But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. Proverbs 25:2

Furthermore, the Holy Spirit has chastened me regarding my failure to view my sisters and brothers from the same “in Christ” perspective – perhaps the primary reason for bringing this to my attention. Our Father in heaven views and considers His children in this way, and so should I.

  

Let the Search Begin

And so, we begin our search in the matter of our “in Christ” reality.

An initial search for “in Christ”, “in Him”, and “in Jesus” returned almost two-hundred references. I suspect a few of these are either redundant or do not apply to our study. Still, there are far more than we can possibly cover in a reasonable number of articles. We will trust the Holy Spirit to point us in the right direction. Here are a few to whet your appetite:

 

Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:11

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Alive to God, sanctified, new creation, all one (i.e., unified), and created for good works: All this in Christ!

This revelation begs some interesting questions:

What does it mean to be in Christ?

How does being in Christ enable or empower these things?

Who is responsible for getting and keeping us there?

How is “in Christ” accomplished?

How do we partake and participate?

Why has God done such a thing?

Are these eternal blessings available outside of Christ?

How should this affect my relationships with my sisters and brothers in Christ?

Wow! So many questions. We will trust the Holy Spirit and our Lord Jesus to reveal the answers to these and any other questions you care to submit. For now, here is the tentative outline for the series:

• Introduction.
• Biblical references.
• Article One: The meaning of “in Christ.”
• Article Two: Who is responsible, and how does “in Christ” become our reality?
• Article Three: What realities and blessings are ours in Christ?
• Article Four: Why have we been grafted into Christ?

We close with an important foundational truth: Our flesh and its carnal mind are not in Christ. Indeed, they are at enmity with God and passionately opposed to our searching out this matter, for it will lead to their defeat and destruction.

Understand, we are not using hyperbole here. Our identity in Christ positions and authorizes us to overcome our flesh, the world, and Satan. We are responsible for receiving and exercising the position and authority offered by God.

So, will you continue with me? Will you participate? I honestly do not know where this will take us, but I am excited to find out. I believe it will be glorious!

God bless you with the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him and in the reality of your position in Christ.

Humbly yours and forever His,

Rob

#iamjustthepen