Life in Christ

What Does the Bible Mean By “In Christ?”

Dr. Mike Life in Christ
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…” Ephesians 1:3 ESV

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The concept “in Christ” is mentioned in scripture approximately 300 times. Yet many readers of the Bible pass over that phrase with a limited view of its meaning. Therefore, we shall provide a quick overview that will open our eyes to the riches we have in our relationship with Jesus Christ. In summary, the apostle Paul used that phrase to highlight four distinct views of our relationship with Jesus Christ.

In certain instances, Paul would simply use the word interchangeably with our position as a member of His physical body: the Church (Romans 12:5). Because of Jesus Christ, we are spiritually incorporated within the same membership one with another. Jesus is the center that keeps us together. He leads and directs us as He chooses.

Again at times Paul would use the phrase to emphasis our identity (2 Corinthians 5:17). That we are associated with Jesus Christ. We are his brothers and sisters. We are included within Jesus’ life. As we mature in the faith, we become more and more like him. Our identity is no longer found is our performance, our race, or sexual status, but found only in him. When the Father looks at us, He views us through the lenses of Jesus Christ.

Sometimes he would embellish on our shared participation with Christ (2 Corinthians 1:5). That we have been buried and resurrected with him. That like he suffered, we also may accept suffering. Not as a savior from sin, but as believers learning obedience through the trials and tests of life. Like many of the early apostles that died a martyrs death, we likewise may share in the experience. Our participation with Christ comes in walking and serving him through similar encounters with others in our daily life. Jesus said that through him we may even do mightier works than He.

At other times Paul would focus on our union with Christ (Ephesians 2:6, Galatians 3:26). Just as the Father and Son are one, we are also one with Jesus and the Father. In fact, we are one with the Triune God – Father, Son, and Spirit. As the Father-Son shared life’s experiences together and with us, we likewise now share our life’s experiences with Jesus.

Jesus is the Author and Sustainer of our salvation. He has given us the opportunity to be identified with him, incorporated with him, participate with him, and walk in union with him. This is the short, simply definition of what it means to be “in Christ.”

So how about starting the New Year living life knowing what all this truly means each day?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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God’s Perfect Reflection

Dr. Mike Life in Christ ,
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? John 14:9 ESV

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Do you want to know what God is like? Than study into the life of Jesus Christ. In theological terms it is called Christology. In faith terms, it is the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior (2 Peter 3:18).

In several places found in Scripture, Jesus mentioned that Father God and He are one. That if you know Jesus Christ, you will also know the Father. Either Jesus is making the claim from a position of fact or He is lying, or He is a crazy man. It is the same accusation people made about Him during his ministry. Our position is that Jesus Christ is the perfect human reflection of Father God.

So how would God act if He was you in your situation today?

When you study the life of Jesus Christ, you quickly learn how he communicated, encouraged, and taught the people around him. Like a great Rabbi, he modeled the life he wanted his disciples to practice. Unlike the religious leaders of his day, He walked the talk.

The Jewish leaders were great at sounding knowledgeable, dissociating themselves from the common people of the day, and desiring to serve others for their personal gain. Not Jesus.
He eagerly pursued His Father’s Will. He and His Father where united in spirit. How Jesus responded to the people’s needs was a reflection of how Father God would respond. Everything was done with His Father’s purpose in mind. He went where His Father was working.

He gave credit to His Father for the accomplishments and miracles. He called no one good but God. He knew the evil intent that was in man’s heart. But He also knew the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to lead, comfort, and counsel others for the sake of the Kingdom and others.

So if you want to know more about God, pickup that Bible and start reading the four gospel accounts of the Jesus’ story. But this time read it from the perspective that Father God was living life in and through Jesus Christ. That Jesus Christ is the perfect reflection of our heavenly Father.

Again you may be pleasantly surprised to discover what and who Father God is truly like.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage your Friends…Share Today’s Message!

Savior

Dr. Mike Life in Christ
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” Philippians 3:20 ESV

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As we gear up for another political season to elect the next president of these United States, we are reminded as God’s children that we hold dual citizenship – citizens of God’s Kingdom and citizens of the United States. As citizens of the United States we have the privilege to add our vote for the candidate we strongly believe may best serve this country at this time. However, as citizens of God’s family Kingdom, we already have acknowledged our King and gladly serve him faithfully for His glory and for the sake of others.

Yet for many people who do not have an abiding relationship with King Jesus, they still seek a hero or savior to give them the life they desire. Whether the candidate is a democrat, republican, or an independent doesn’t really matter. What typically matters is electing a person who will give them what they believe is in their best interest. In other words, they seek someone to save them. A savior.

There a many people who claim they can save you. But can they?

Then there are people who state they don’t need a savior. That they have everything under control. That a savior is for those unfortunate weak people. It always amazes me when a person who has everything that they ever wanted suddenly finds themselves without. How they suddenly react in crisis mode realizing for the first time that they need help beyond themselves.

The other day a person I know made a statement that would shock some people. She is one of those persons who has lived a life doing all the things one must do to be healthy. She eats wholesome, natural foods. She exercises. She prays and practices daily devotionals. She has crossed her “T’s” and marked her “X’s” on every life test that came her way. If you had to grade her performance, she would receive an “A+.” Yet her health is failing her. Her list of ailments are enough for a dozen people to manage. It is not that she hasn’t done everything one must do to maintain her health, it is simply she inherited dysfunctional DNA from her generational tree. Her statement? “I do everything one possible can to maintain good health. Yet suffer. Others abuse themselves and live a long, prosperous life. It’s not fair.”

No, Life is not fair. Which is a reason we need a Savior. Life dumps unexpected crap on each one of us. Which is a reason we need a Savior. This life stops at the grave. Which is a reason we need a Savior. Without a Savior, we are all dead. We may be walking, talking, and breathing. But real, enjoyable life escapes us now and the afterlife becomes a crap shoot.

Saviors come in many different packages. The one I choose to hang my hat with is Jesus Christ. He alone has proven to me over and over again that He is my Savior and the Savior of the entire world. How about you?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage your Friends…Share Today’s Message!