What does it mean to be “In Christ"?
Galatians 3:26, “for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith”.
The term “in Christ" refers to a new standing before God. In this new standing, God views a person as forgiven and clean because of the sacrifice of Jesus. All of us have been born into sin and are separated from Holy God. Romans 3:23 tells us that, “All have sinned and fall short". Romans 6:23 teaches us, “The penalty for sin is death". Without Jesus Christ we all face eternal punishment for our sins. In John 14:6 Jesus says “No one comes to the Father except through me”.
Thankfully, God in his mercy provided a way for people to be set free from sin. This is accomplished by Jesus paying our sin debt and giving us His righteousness. Our sin is placed on Jesus and His righteousness is credited to us. This was the exact purpose of Jesus coming to earth and dying on the cross. In John 12:27, Jesus said, "Now my soul is in turmoil, and what should I say—'Father, save me from this hour'? No! It was for this very reason that I came to this hour.” God sent his own son to pay our sin debt.
In obedience to God, Jesus came and lived a sinless life. In doing so, He was found worthy to be offered as a sacrifice for the sins of all who would place their trust in Him. As Jesus died on the cross, God placed all our sins on His son. This was marked by three hours of darkness covering the earth. He was buried in the tomb for three days and then the disciples discovered that He had risen! After Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to the disciples and others on several occasions before ascending up to Heaven. This resurrection from death was proof that Jesus was the Son of God and His death was the final payment for sin. Now, when someone hears the gospel and sincerely trusts in Jesus their sin debt is placed on him and exchanged for His righteousness for entrance into Heaven. It’s like he removes our filthy garments and wraps us in perfect and pure new sparkling white garments. We are wrapped in his righteousness. We are now seen as righteous as Christ or “in Christ". All those in Christ have the same standing as Jesus and are sons and daughters of God. They will live forever with Him.
The Bible teaches that we are given salvation by faith alone. However, it also clarifies that the fruit of true faith is obedience. In John 3:36 we learn, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life”.
In John 11:25 Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” This is the good news, the gospel of Christ that we celebrate at Easter.
You can have a new life “In Christ"– Come!
Colby Reeves – member
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