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| Volume 25 Number 7 July 2023 |
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| Volume 25 Number 7 July 2023 |
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In Christ Jesus
Rodney Nulph, Associate Editor
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1 NKJV). The inspired phrase, “in Christ Jesus,” that Paul used here is an interesting one indeed. Interesting and yes, it is even a bit heartbreaking when one considers all the definitions given by mankind that have been assigned to this phrase through the years. What does being “in Christ Jesus” really mean? To understand the truth, we must allow the Truth to define and illustrate its’ own terms. No manmade definition of this phrase or any other biblical phrase is fitting! While many folks would agree wholeheartedly that being in Christ is necessary to be saved, many people seem to have different meanings as to what that phrase actually means. If I were to assign my own definition to this phrase, I certainly would add to the confusion. So instead of letting mankind decide, why not let God speak?
Firstly, God speaks of the importance of being in Christ Jesus. Paul was clear that all spiritual blessings are found only in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). The only place where redemption is found is in Christ! After reminding humanity that all of us are in spiritual trouble due to our own sinning and falling extremely short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23), then, Paul encouragingly penned that we can be “justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24). Later in the same book, Paul gladly affirmed that “in Christ” there is “no condemnation” (Romans 8:1). Being in Christ is so important in God’s eyes that it is only “in Christ” that one becomes a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). “In Christ” is where one becomes a child of God (Galatians 3:26) and wherein true unity is found (Galatians 3:28). John was aware of the importance of being “in Christ” when he, by inspiration, affirmed, “And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son” (1 John 5:11). Salvation is contingent upon being “in Christ Jesus” according to the One Who makes salvation possible!
Secondly, God speaks of the instructions of how to get in Christ Jesus. Far too often folks can agree that being “in Christ” is of eternal importance but fail to see the divine instructions of how to enter Christ Jesus. God spoke the instructions clearly. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27). I am always heart-broken and amazed that anyone would give another answer as to how to get into Christ Jesus. What advantage would there be for a person to say that being in Christ is important, per Scripture, but then throw the Scripture out the window when it comes to the instructions of how to enter into Christ Jesus? Why not just tell the truth? I recently asked my Google Assistant how I can get into Christ. Here is what it told me, “I’m not sure what you mean by “getting into Christ.” However, if you are asking how to become a Christian, there are different ways to do so. According to the Bible, the only way to get to heaven is to become a Christian by accepting Jesus as your Savior. To become a Christian, you can start by familiarizing yourself with Christianity and Jesus’ message. Then, say a simple prayer committing your life to being a follower of Jesus Christ” (emphasis added). Please take special note of “according to the Bible… accept Jesus as your Savior.” This is amazing and quite appalling to me! There is not one single verse of Scripture that ever tells a person to “accept Jesus as one’s Savior.” According to God’s truth, the only way to enter Christ is to be baptized into Christ!
Thirdly, God spoke of the introspection we should do to make certain we are in Christ Jesus. Paul declared, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you – unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Corinthians 13:5 NIV). If being in Christ is essential for salvation, and it is according to the Bible, then we must make certain that we are in fact in Christ! There are numerous folks who lie to others about how to get into Christ. Therefore, it is imperative that we be like the Bereans who “…received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11 NKJV). The matter of being in Christ is of eternal importance.
You can be in Christ and know it! However, the only way you can be in Christ is to do what Christ said. Outside of Christ is doom and despair (Ephesians 2:12). But “in Christ Jesus,” “…God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life” (1 John 5:11-12). Have life today and in eternity; get into Christ Jesus!
