Saturday, July 28, 2012

in Christ


When we read the New Testament we discovered the importance of all that Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior has done for us. All of the epistles are of full of the phrases in Christ, in Him and through Christ.

Our salvation is shown to be based on this as we see in Romans 3:22: the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction. And again at Romans 5:9 we read Since therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. Romans 8:1 continue the emphasis with: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:21 states: For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

The main point to this is that this union with Christ is the way to test and see if you are truly a Christian are not. Read what 2 Corinthians 13:5 states: Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? - unless indeed you fail to meet the test!. (emphasis added)

We can not be a Christian without having Christ in us, without being joined to him by his Spirit. That is the test according to scripture.

Ephesians 1:7 states: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.

Ephesians 1:11 states: In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.

Colossians 1:27 says in part ... which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

There are many, many more references to our union with Christ, it is an important doctrine.

Jesus speaks about this union in John 15 where he says: 4. Abide in me and I in you as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5. I am the vine you are the branches whoever abides in me and I in him he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

The reason that our Christian life is to be a life of gratitude and thanksgiving is because of Jesus Christ. All that he has done for us. How can we not love Jesus Christ. That verse states that we can do nothing without Christ. Christ did the work that God gives to our account in order to save us. But thats not the end it is the beginning, Christ stands ready each and every day, indeed, each and every hour to help us in our way of sanctification (becoming holy let Jesus), he is always interceeding for us. We have enemies opposing our walk of holiness, the devil, the world, and our own flesh, all of them are powerful, yet Christ is far more powerful. For all power and authority is his. We are weak but he is strong.

Spend time meditating on what Jesus has done for us. Meditate on those scriptures that show what Christ has done, he become a man, he died with our sins on him, and he received the just wrath of God for those sins, the wrath that we should receive. Isnt that worth the effort it will take to search the scriptures and see what Christ has accomplished for you. Isnt it worth the effort to pray for Christ's enabling grace, each day, so you can resist what he hates and do what he loves. Isnt his sacrifice for you worth some time meditating on his word. If you feel little or no interest, go back to the part above that speaks about the test and see where you stand.

Christ stands ready to enable us to do what he commands, we must draw near to him through his word, prayer, fellowship, the Lord's table. Remember we cant do anything without Christ, we need to abide in him and he will abide in us.

All to the Glory of God, in Christ Jesus!!

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