“IN CHRIST!”

 Ephesians 2:1-10                              (ESV)

“1 And YOU WERE DEAD in the trespasses and sins

2 in which you once walked, FOLLOWING THE COURSE OF “this world”, following the prince of the power of the air, THE spirit that is NOW AT WORK IN THE SONS OF DISOBEDIENCE-

3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

4 BUT GOD, being RICH IN MERCY, because of the great love with which HE loved us,

5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, MADE US ALIVE TOGETHER WITH CHRIST-by GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED-

6 and raised us up with HIM and seated us with HIM in the heavenly places “IN CHRIST” JESUS,

7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us “IN CHRIST” JESUS.

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is NOT YOUR OWN DOING; it is the gift of GOD,

9 NOT A RESULT OF WORKS, so that no one may boast.

10 For we are HIS workmanship, created “IN CHRIST” JESUS for good works, which GOD PREPARES BEFOREHAND, THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM.”

People who act like they are something that they ARE NOT can be rather irritating. They have a “false impression” about themselves that is brought on by how they have come through something in their past, and even though they may have flourished financially, they have apparently NOT been CHOSEN as a servant of THE MOST HIGH GOD and had their EYES OPENED?  Since GOD IS GOD, and I am NOT, I will have to leave their condition to HIM to JUDGE.  I am not qualified to JUDGE others, for I am FLAWED to the utmost! (1 Timothy 1:15)!

Then why do I sometimes act like I AM GOD?  Sure, Adam CHOSE to sin causing us all to be “infected” with the SIN NATURE, and the ONLY sure cure is a “vaccine” that HAS been approved by our CREATOR is JESUS HIMSELF!  “IN CHRIST” is the MIRACULOUS cure for the infection called SIN that is needed by ALL!  We attempt to BE GOOD ENOUGH by performing WORKS that demonstrate being “IN CHRIST”, but surrendering to HIS WILL for our lives is the ONLY WAY we can ever be REGENERATED by the FATHER.  

2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us of another instance of being “IN CHRIST “!  It says “Therefore, if anyone is “IN CHRIST”, he is a NEW CREATION. The OLD has passed away; behold, the NEW has come.“. The OLD, carnal, natural man has been CONVERTED into a NEW, SPIRIT FILLED man that longs to GLORIFY GOD!  We are NOT perfect, but a CHANGED person should be evident in our actions.  

Being “IN CHRIST” can ONLY be done by THE HEAVENLY FATHER. In John 6:44 JESUS says “No one can come to ME unless the FATHER WHO sent ME draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.”  There is nothing to be “proud” about and nothing to “glory” in.  We are CHOSEN to be “IN CHRIST” to GLORIFY GOD, not glorify ourselves! (Galatians 6:14). FATHER, cause me to always remember that I am NOTHING without being “IN CHRIST”!!!