Simon Sinek, a British-born American author, inspirational speaker, and the author of Start With Why (2009), describes the influence of successful leaders and organizations using “the golden circle.”
Mr. Sinek explains that most leaders and companies attempt to influence customers and employees using the “What?” and “How?” questions: “This is what we produce. This is how we do things better.” While these questions are important, they are not, according to Sinek, the most important question to ask.
Mr. Sinek contends that the more visionary and influential leaders and organizations lead with their answer to “why?”, because “why?” communicates at a deeper level.
For example, Apple does not market its computers’ user-friendly interfaces or its superb security features. Apple promotes their products based on the company’s desire and ability to help everyone “Think different” and discover “The power to be your best.”
So what does this have to do with our study of the “in Christ” reality?
“Why?” in the kingdom of God is also the heart of the matter – a clear and transcendent window into the heart of God. The answers to God’s “why?” are the desires of God’s heart. They are also the desires God has carefully and graciously put into the hearts of His children, including the desire to live in Christ.
Now, don’t miss this: Those desires are heart-ties between God and His children, and they are the desires He has promised to give us.
Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:4.
Furthermore, when we surrender to the desire God has placed in our heart, that desire becomes God’s purpose. With Job, we can say, “I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You (Job 42:2).” Regardless of how things look and feel, we can be sure that God accomplishes His desire to put us in Christ.
Indeed, if we are concerned about the desires of God’s heart and are interested in receiving the desires He has placed in ours, then we best understand…
Why the Father put us in Christ
As we will see, the reasons God put us in Christ are at the same time obvious and awesome. The referenced passages speak for themselves, so I will ask your forgiveness in my stating the obvious, and nothing else (mostly), for each one.
God’s intentions in the “in Christ” reality are twofold: the “why?” for Him, and His loving, gracious “why?” for us. We will begin with the most important aspect – what is in it for Him.
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
We abide in Christ to bear fruit that glorifies our Father in heaven.
…that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:12
Moreover, we are ourselves – in Christ – objects of praise to God. To those with eyes to see (inc. supernatural beings), we are an amazing creation.
…so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Romans 12:5
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
God desires the unity of His people, unity that can only be found in Christ, unity that spans race, culture, and even space-time dimensions. His Son is patiently waiting for the coming forth of His wife (Revelation 19:6-8). She will not be dismembered, but perfectly united in Him.
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
God desires to lead a triumphant people, who will spread the fragrance of His knowledge throughout the whole world. He put us in Christ for the advance of His kingdom and the harvest of the nations.
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
God put us in Christ because He needed a new creation to accomplish His work here on earth.
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
God put us in Christ that we might speak on His behalf, and speak to Him on behalf of His people (i.e., to make us priests unto Him).
…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
Similarly, God put us in Christ that we would be effective in sharing of our faith.
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3:27
God sent His Son into the world for the world to see Him in the flesh. He put us in Christ that the world might see His Son through us. We are in Christ to be witnesses and ambassadors of the kingdom.
…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
Like any loving Father, God desires the presence of His children. In Christ, we are able to gather before Him in the required holiness.
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
Good works are God’s works. Out of love for His children, our Creator put us in Christ to participate with Him in His work – to be His vessels, instruments, and weapons in Christ. He enjoys being with His children in the work.
He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. 1John 2:6
God abides us in His Son to enable us to walk just as He walked! Wow! This one is perhaps the hardest to get our heads around; so stop trying to reason the unreasonable. Instead, use the heart you have been given, and believe.
God’s intentions for putting us in Christ are for more than Himself. As we know, He loves His children, thinks of them often, and desires their benefit.
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
God abides us in Christ to enable us to be disciples of His Son. NOTE: This is a matter of our salvation.
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
God desires our freedom. In Christ, we find it through the law of the Spirit of life.
…so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Romans 12:5
God does not want His children to be lonely; we are a “one another” people; and He has put us in Christ to enable and encourage that blessing.
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
Well, here is another “why?” which is so very hard to fathom. Not only is there no sin in Christ, but whoever abides in Him does not sin. The former – there is no sin – can be understood to mean that God does not see or count our sin against us, but the latter leaves no room for that manner of interpretation.
Indeed, it cannot be more clear: God abides us in Christ to enable our sinlessness.
With that mystery staring us in the face, we will close with this reminder: The mysteries of God cannot be understood before they are believed. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). Faith for the grace to understand this incredible blessing, and to exercise it, has now been offered.
God bless you with ears to hear and the wisdom and courage to believe.
Humbly yours and forever His,
Rob
#iamjustthepen
Sinek, Simon (2009). Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action. New York: Penguin Press.