Posted by Pastor Jim on
January 14, 2012 05:50
I understand what it means to be in love. I probably know way more than I should about being in trouble. I’ve had close friends that were in the army. It’s possible to be in confusion, in deception, in distress. All of this gives us a partial point of reference for what the Bible calls being “in Christ.” Need I say that this is the greatest in of all. Your salvation has placed you firmly in Christ Jesus. This is a most powerful reality. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things have passed away and behold all things have become new” (II Corinthians 5:17). We are now new creations with a totally new life not by anything we have done but by simply being in Christ. You have everything you will ever need or want as a result because “all the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Him” (Colossians2:9). The next verse goes on to say “And you are complete in Him.” You are not complete by learning more or attaining more as some might think. Completeness is not a by-product of adding something or someone to our lives. If it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell, and you are in Him, then all fullness is now yours. Being in Christ means that you are made one with Him. As far as the Father is concerned there is no difference between you and Christ. When He looks at you He sees Jesus because you are in Him. Since there can be no guilt, shame, or condemnation in Christ, and you are in Christ, then there can’t be any of those things in you either. In fact, Jesus has been given a place of honor and made to sit down at the Father’s right hand. Guess where that leaves you? That’s right, if you’re in Christ you share that position with Him. Listen to Ephesians 2:6 “and hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Notice that by being in Christ we get to sit down and rest from all labor. No striving necessary when you’re in Christ. Jesus did all the work for us on the cross. It’s not about what we can do but what He has already done. Our part is believing, not doing. Accept His offer to join Him in sitting down. And remember, you are not sitting on the bench or in the bleachers. You are seated in heavenly places far above all principalities and powers, might and dominion and every name that is named. Thank God for placing you in Christ. There is no place like it!