On Being Found ’In Christ’

The writers of New Testament use the phrase ”in Christ” or ”in Christ Jesus” 76 times.

If we consider the many precepts that are taught concerning being ’in Christ’, perhaps we would be more attentive to making certain that we are found in Him.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE ‘IN CHRIST?’

On this topic, Paul wrote:

“But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:7-9‬ ‭BSB‬‬

BIBLICAL TEACHING

Jesus taught that we who are believers must abide in Him. (John 15:1-6.) ‘In Christ’ is a very special place. This is where we are able to bear fruit. Even more importantly, ’in Christ’ we are reckoned dead to sin, but alive to God. (Romans 6:11) Jesus once told a man who asked to go and bury his father to “Let the dead bury the dead.” Would this not mean we become alive when we receive Christ!

Scripture teaches that in addition to the fact that God was’in Christ’ reconciling the world to Himself, (2 Corinthians 5:19), believers become one body’in Christ.’ (Romans12:5) We are justified or made right with God by our faith in Jesus Christ! Paul reminded the church at Galatia of the truth of this for both Gentiles and Jews…

“know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭2:16‬ ‭BSB‬‬

THINGS RECEIVED WHEN FOUND IN CHRIST

—- the high calling of God ’in Christ’ (Philippians 3:14)

—- blessings ’in Christ’ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 1:3)

—- the Spirit of life ’in Christ’ (Romans 8:2)

—- faith ‘in Christ’ (Acts 24:24) (Galatians 3:26)

—- life ‘in Christ’ (1 Corinthians 15:22) (Galatians 2:16)

—- truth ’in Christ’ (Romans 9:1)

—- grace ‘in Christ’ (2 Timothy 2:14)

—- redemption ’in Christ’ (Romans 3:24) (1Corinthians 1:30)

—- law of the Spirit of life ’in Christ’ (Romans 8:2)

—- sanctification ’in Christ’ (1 Corinthians 1:2) (1Corinthians 1:30)

—- wisdom ’in Christ’ (1Corinthians 1:30)

—- will triumph ’in Christ’ (2 Corinthians 2:14)

—- spiritual blessings in heavenly places ’in Christ’ (Ephesians 1:3)

Not only to we receive the above blessings, check out Romans 8:1 to see what we avoid!

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1

Just as Jesus taught that we must abide in Him, Paul taught that the Christian life is a walk of faith. This doesn’t mean freedom to sin, but rather walking in the Spirit by faith in Christ.

ROMANS 6