Are you in Christ if so How do you know?

[Runmyramble]

Hi, What scripture and/or personal life experience tell you that you are in Christ.

And

What does being in Christ mean?

 

[Cnkw3]

Hi, What scripture and/or personal life experience tell you that you are in Christ.

And

What does being in Christ mean?

Scripture?
Where is salvation found? In Christ! 2 Tim 2:10
When is a person saved? When their sins are forgiven. Jn 1:29
At what point are a persons sins forgiven. After baptism.
Mk 16:16, acts 2:38, 22:16
How does one get “into Christ”? Baptized into Christ.
Rom 6, Gal 3:27, 1 cor 12
This makes since seeing that a person can’t be in Christ and still be in their sins so this is why baptism is the point in time a person “puts on Christ”. Gal 3.
When one is “in Christ” they are a new creation. 2 cor 5:17. Why? Because their sins have been washed away and they are born again.
The Bible is in complete harmony on this subject.

Personal experiences mean nothing as to whether one is in or out of Christ. Please show me one example in the NT of a person saved at the point of some personal “experience”.
You might start with Saul on the road. He had a rather life changing personal experience. But was he saved at the very point of having that experience? No. How do we know that? Because he was still in his sins so therefore he could not have been “in Christ” at that point. How do we know he was still in his sins? Because a preacher comes and tells him he still needs to be baptized in order to “ wash his sins away”!
Personal feelings/experiences in your car, on your bed, on a mountain, etc. mean absolutely nothing as to whether you are saved or not. Why? Because you are still in your sins just like Saul of Tarsus. Unless you think you are better then Paul and God just loves you more.
Great question though!

 

[Cnkw3]

What does being in Christ mean?

It means you are saved, since that’s where salvation is found. 2. Tim 2:10
It means you are redeemed by the blood. Eph 1:7
It means you have access to all spiritual blessings. Eph 1:3.
It means you are one of the elect. Eph 1:4
It means you are in the body which is the church. Who did Jesus shed his blood for? The church/his body. Acts 20:28
Who is Jesus going to save? The body. Those that are in Christ. Eph 5:23
When is a person added to the church or the body? After baptism acts 2:47. 1 cor 12:13
Those that are baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Gal 3:27. To put on Christ means that you are now like Christ....holy, righteous. Sin free. Eph 4:24, Col 3:9-11
Another good question.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

It’s like how you know you’re in love.

 

[hawkman]

Hi, What scripture and/or personal life experience tell you that you are in Christ.

I heard God's word preached and went and kneeled at the altar and confessed I was a sinner and I wanted Jesus for my savior . The change takes place in the inner man .

What does being in Christ mean?

Your sins have been covered by the blood that Jesus shed for us, and God no longer sees our sins but now sees the righteousness of His own Son .

 

[Dorothy Mae]

The problem is, if one says they feel they are in Christ, how do
we (or they) know they aren’t deceived? And yet if we point out a scripture, how do we know that describes us?

Jesus clearly said many will come to him expecting that they were “in Christ” or saved because of a false idea, perhaps the words on a page written to someone else said so. Is his answer, “Oh yes, that’s right, chapter xyz verse abc says so.” No he says, “go away. I don’t know you.”

So what is the measure? A relationship with Christ that Christ, not us, recognizes as real.

 

[for_his_glory]

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Faith of Christ

Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The faith of Christ is understood as we study these scriptures to name a few in the KJV, John 12:44-50; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9). The newer translations has changed where it says faith of Christ to faith in Christ. There is a difference between faith of Christ and faith in Christ as you can read in those scriptures out of the KJV. The faith of Christ is what He believed in the Father as He never said or did anything above that which God gave Him to speak or to do while He was on earth, John 12:49, 50. Our faith in Christ is the same faith of Christ He had in the Father as we can never go above that of what He taught us and the works He left for us to follow in.

The Son of God is that free gift of God's grace given to all who will believe by faith in Christ and confess Him as Lord and Savior so they will see the kingdom of God, Ephesians 2:8-10; John 3:5-7; Romans 10:9, 10. There is no working towards something that is free as all we have to do is accept the gift. Believe is a verb that means something we consider to be true as we have heard the Gospel and not only heard it, but also believe what is written for our well being.

Faith works come after we are Spiritually born again and indwelled with the Holy Spirit that empowers us to go out into the world and continue in the good works of the Lord, Acts 2:37, 38; James 2:14-20. The good works are taking His Gospel message to the world as we too are His disciples and to love and help those in need as what we do we do unto the glory of the Lord Christ Jesus, Matthew 25:31-40

 

[Cnkw3]

The problem is, if one says they feel they are in Christ, how do
we (or they) know they aren’t deceived? And yet if we point out a scripture, how do we know that describes us?

If you do what the scripture says to do; won’t you receive the promise it gives?
Those on Pentecost that believed the gospel message were told to repent and be baptized in order to remove their sins. You don’t think the ones that were obedient had their sins removed? God did promise it didn’t he? This is called FAITH. God said if I do X he gives Y!
We believe him so we then do it by FAITH!

 

[Runmyramble]

I heard God's word preached and went and kneeled at the altar and confessed I was a sinner and I wanted Jesus for my savior . The change takes place in the inner man .

Your sins have been covered by the blood that Jesus shed for us, and God no longer sees our sins but now sees the righteousness of His own Son .

Hi, What was the change in....and what took place for you to say it took place in the inner man?

 

[Runmyramble]

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Faith of Christ

Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The faith of Christ is understood as we study these scriptures to name a few in the KJV, John 12:44-50; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9). The newer translations has changed where it says faith of Christ to faith in Christ. There is a difference between faith of Christ and faith in Christ as you can read in those scriptures out of the KJV. The faith of Christ is what He believed in the Father as He never said or did anything above that which God gave Him to speak or to do while He was on earth, John 12:49, 50. Our faith in Christ is the same faith of Christ He had in the Father as we can never go above that of what He taught us and the works He left for us to follow in.

The Son of God is that free gift of God's grace given to all who will believe by faith in Christ and confess Him as Lord and Savior so they will see the kingdom of God, Ephesians 2:8-10; John 3:5-7; Romans 10:9, 10. There is no working towards something that is free as all we have to do is accept the gift. Believe is a verb that means something we consider to be true as we have heard the Gospel and not only heard it, but also believe what is written for our well being.

Faith works come after we are Spiritually born again and indwelled with the Holy Spirit that empowers us to go out into the world and continue in the good works of the Lord, Acts 2:37, 38; James 2:14-20. The good works are taking His Gospel message to the world as we too are His disciples and to love and help those in need as what we do we do unto the glory of the Lord Christ Jesus, Matthew 25:31-40

Hi, Nice! but what question are you answering.

 

[Runmyramble]

If you do what the scripture says to do; won’t you receive the promise it gives?
Those on Pentecost that believed the gospel message were told to repent and be baptized in order to remove their sins. You don’t think the ones that were obedient had their sins removed? God did promise it didn’t he? This is called FAITH. God said if I do X he gives Y!
We believe him so we then do it by FAITH!

For sure I believe the faith Jesus had...was with a good conscience before His father, for His father never left Him alone....BECAUSE He ALWAYS DID WHAT WAS PLEASING TO HIS FATHER.

 

[Hopeful]

Hi, What scripture and/or personal life experience tell you that you are in Christ.

Personal experience...Being able to resist every temptation to commit sin.

And
What does being in Christ mean?

It means walking as He walked.

 

[Runmyramble]

Personal experience...Being able to resist every temptation to commit sin.

!Wow!....you don't sin?

It means walking as He walked.

 

[Hopeful]

!Wow!....you don't sin?

You can't walk as He walked and continue to commit sin.
You can't continue to commit sin and walk as He walked.
It is written..."He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked." (1 John 2:6)
I abide in Him, thanks be to God.
And so can we all.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

If you do what the scripture says to do; won’t you receive the promise it gives?

The problem is God sees the heart behind the words. I know, for example, of people who said the sinner’s prayer, asked Jesus into their heart (not biblical but popular) and nothing whatsoever happened. Why? Because the change necessary in the heart wasn’t there. At a minimum believing is required and that’s not a matter decided by the mouth.

Those on Pentecost that believed the gospel message were told to repent and be baptized in order to remove their sins. You don’t think the ones that were obedient had their sins removed?

Perfect example that fits nicely into what I wrote before I read your full post. Yes, absolutely they were forgiven of sins and saved. The heart has changed.

God did promise it didn’t he? This is called FAITH. God said if I do X he gives Y!
We believe him so we then do it by FAITH!

Absolutely correct and exciting as well. The faith is not in the formula but the character of God.

 

[Runmyramble]

You can't walk as He walked and continue to commit sin.
You can't continue to commit sin and walk as He walked.
It is written..."He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked." (1 John 2:6)
I abide in Him, thanks be to God.
And so can we all.

So you never sin ?

 

[Dorothy Mae]

!Wow!....you don't sin?

There is a doctrine going around that promises people that they can believe they don’t sin and so they don’t (in their eyes.)

But be aware that if you point out the obvious problems with this view, the response to you personally will be, how shall I put it….less than holy. It will not reflect the fruit of the HS (love, patience, joy, long-suffering, peace, etc.)

When you encounter these types ask them this question, “do the people who live and work with you agree that you are perfect and never ever do anything morally wrong?” It’s very easy to look into the mirror and compliment that perfect man looking back at you. It’s a lot harder to find someone who says that about that man.

 

[Hopeful]

So you never sin ?

Correct.
My "turn from" sin is real.

 

[Hopeful]

There is a doctrine going around that promises people that they can believe they don’t sin and so they don’t (in their eyes.)

But be aware that if you point out the obvious problems with this view, the response to you personally will be, how shall I put it….less than holy. It will not reflect the fruit of the HS (love, patience, joy, long-suffering, peace, etc.)

When you encounter these types ask them this question, “do the people who live and work with you agree that you are perfect and never ever do anything morally wrong?” It’s very easy to look into the mirror and compliment that perfect man looking back at you. It’s a lot harder to find someone who says that about that man.

I have seen this doctrine on multiple occasions.
I call it the "Harry Potter Invisibility Cloak" doctrine".
Some say the blood of Christ covers them...and their sin, so God doesn't see it.
Others say that all their sins, past, present, and future have already been forgiven.
Others say the sin is committed by the outer man, but the inner man is still holy.
There are probably several hundred doctrines that accommodates sin.
So I exhort everyone to heed Dorothy Mae's admonition.
Then look in the mirror.

 

[pierac]

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Faith of Christ

Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The faith of Christ is understood as we study these scriptures to name a few in the KJV, John 12:44-50; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9). The newer translations has changed where it says faith of Christ to faith in Christ. There is a difference between faith of Christ and faith in Christ as you can read in those scriptures out of the KJV. The faith of Christ is what He believed in the Father as He never said or did anything above that which God gave Him to speak or to do while He was on earth, John 12:49, 50. Our faith in Christ is the same faith of Christ He had in the Father as we can never go above that of what He taught us and the works He left for us to follow in.

The Son of God is that free gift of God's grace given to all who will believe by faith in Christ and confess Him as Lord and Savior so they will see the kingdom of God, Ephesians 2:8-10; John 3:5-7; Romans 10:9, 10. There is no working towards something that is free as all we have to do is accept the gift. Believe is a verb that means something we consider to be true as we have heard the Gospel and not only heard it, but also believe what is written for our well being.

Faith works come after we are Spiritually born again and indwelled with the Holy Spirit that empowers us to go out into the world and continue in the good works of the Lord, Acts 2:37, 38; James 2:14-20. The good works are taking His Gospel message to the world as we too are His disciples and to love and help those in need as what we do we do unto the glory of the Lord Christ Jesus, Matthew 25:31-40

Spoken like a true Spiritual Child...

NASB Eph 1:11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,

Net Eph 1:11 In Christ28 we too have been claimed as God's own possession,29(G280) since we were predestined (G4309) according to the one purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will

29 tn Grk "we were appointed by lot." The notion of the verb κληρόω (klēroō) in the OT was to "appoint a portion by lot" (the more frequent cognate verb κληρονομέω [klēronomeō] meant "obtain a portion by lot"). In the passive, as here, the idea is that "we were appointed [as a portion] by lot" (BDAG 548 s.v. κληρόω 1). The words "God's own" have been supplied in the translation to clarify this sense of the verb. An alternative interpretation is that believers receive a portion as an inheritance: "In Christ we too have been appointed a portion of the inheritance." See H. W. Hoehner, Ephesians, 226-27, for discussion on this interpretive issue.

Word study
G2820
κληρόω
klēróō; contracted klērṓ, fut. klērṓsō, from klḗros (G2819), a lot. To cast lots, determine by lot, i.e., to determine something, choose someone. In Eph_1:11, it means, "in whom the lot has fallen upon us also, as foreordained thereto . . . to be" (a.t.). The idea expressed here is that Christians have become heirs of God due to the fact that God predestined them according to His purpose. In a manner of speaking, the "lot" fell to believers not by chance but solely because of the gracious and sovereign decision of God- Almighty to select them to be His heirs.

Deriv.: prosklēróō (G4345), to give or assign by lot.

Word study
G4309
προορίζω
roorízō; fut. proorísō, from pró (G4253), before, and horízō (G3724), to determine. To determine or decree beforehand (Act_4:28; Rom_8:29-30; 1Co_2:7; Eph_1:5, Eph_1:11). The peace of the Christian Church has been disrupted due to the misunderstanding which surrounds this word. It behooves the Church to consider the divinely intended meaning of this word by carefully examining the critical passages where it is used.

In 1Co_2:7 it has a thing as its obj., namely, the wisdom of God. The purpose was our glory, i.e., our benefits of salvation.

In Act_4:28 the verb is followed by the aor. inf. genésthai (gínomai [G1096], to be, become), to be done. The action of Herod and Pontius Pilate in crucifying Jesus Christ is said to have been predetermined or foreordained by the hand and will of God. This indicates that Christ's mission, especially His death and resurrection, was not ultimately the result of human will but originated in the eternal counsel of God which decreed the event determining all its primary and secondary causes, instruments, agents, and contingencies.

In Rom_8:29-30, predestination is used of God's actions in eternally decreeing both the objects and goal of His plan of salvation. Proorízō has a personal obj., the pl. relative pron. hoús, whom. This relative pron. refers to those previously mentioned as those whom God foreknew (proégnō [G4267]). The translation is, "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate." The objects of predestination are those whom He foreknew. Predestination does not involve a predetermined plan only but also includes the individuals for whom the plan is devised. The goal of predestination is expressed in the phrase, "to be conformed to the image of his Son."

In Eph_1:5, Eph_1:11 this same purpose of foreordination is termed adoption. Adoption (huiothesía [G5206]) is the placing into sonship or legal heirship of those who are born of God. According to Eph_1:5 the basis of this prior decree is "the good pleasure of His will." The word rendered "good pleasure" is eudokía (G2107) and means pleasure or satisfaction, that which seems good. Paul is careful to add that it is the good pleasure of God's will, it is what seems good to God-not man. Similarly, in Eph_1:11 foreordination is based upon "the purpose (próthesis [G4286]) of the One who is working all things ([neut. acc. pl.] tá pánta [G3844], an idiom for the entire metaphysical and physical universe) according to the decision of His will" (a.t.). This same thinking is reflected in Rom_8:30 where foreordination is joined successively to foreknowledge. Here it is presented not as a capricious, arbitrary or whimsical exercise of raw will or unreasoned impulse, but as the expression of a deliberate and wise plan which purposes to redeem those undeserving sinners whom God freely favors as the objects of His mercy.

Because it is neither possible nor permissible for us to pry into God's secret counsel, it is not proper to be fixated with determining who the predestined are. Instead, we should contemplate the glories of what they are predestined to, i.e., salvation, adoption, or glory.

Syn.: protássō (G4384), to appoint before; procheirízō (G4400), to appoint beforehand; proetoimázō (G4282), to prepare before.