What does being IN Christ mean to us?

[tessiewebb]

"In Christ" is a frequently used phrase in the NT. In all I can recall, it seems to have the same meaning. But what is that meaning?

 

[Davies]

"In Christ" is a frequently used phrase in the NT. In all I can recall, it seems to have the same meaning. But what is that meaning?

Hi tessiewebb,

Off the top of my head, I would say to be in Christ means a person has repented of their sins, put their trust in Jesus Christ, in His death and resurrection. This means that God has forgiven all of a person's sins, past, present and future, and has been sealed by the Holy Spirit, justified, sanctified and redeemed. It means you're saved. God is good!

- Davies

 

[childeye]

In Christ to me means to be in his body. He is the head of a body of people whose actions are prompted by his will and orchestrated by the Holy Spirit.

 

[Elijah674]

Originally Posted by tessiewebb
"In Christ" is a frequently used phrase in the NT. In all I can recall, it seems to have the same meaning. But what is that meaning?



Hi tessiewebb,
___________

Off the top of my head, I would say to be in Christ means a person has repented of their sins, put their trust in Jesus Christ, in His death and resurrection. This means that God has forgiven all of a person's sins, past, present and future, and has been sealed by the Holy Spirit, justified, sanctified and redeemed. It means you're saved. God is good!

- Davies

Rom. 8
[1] There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
.....

[14] For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Being Born Again is only the REQUIRED Starting point. But REQUIRED it is! Acts 5:32

To be IN CHRIST requires SURRENDER to His will! (Matt. 28:20) And then we will mature one way or another! Note verse 14 above, being 'led' is ones freedom of choice, God never uses force. Compare Gen. 6:3

--Elijah
​

 

[Davies]

A short cautionary note. If we repent and put our trust in Jesus, we are in Christ. Now, if by chance, someone sins, and at one aspect of his walk he is not fully surrendered, is he not in Christ any more? I don't think so. We sin everyday, and it really takes no effort on our part. I would try not to get confused with sanctification and justification. Once you are sealed by the Holy Spirit, there is no return. You are a child of God in Christ.

Ephesians 1:13
New King James Version (NKJV)
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

Our obedience doesn't keep us in Christ, rather, it is evidence that we are in Christ. Another way to put it is because we are led by the Holy Spirit, we know we are in Christ as Elihah674 pointed out in Romans 8:1.

- Davies

 

[Digger]

A short cautionary note. If we repent and put our trust in Jesus, we are in Christ. Now, if by chance, someone sins, and at one aspect of his walk he is not fully surrendered, is he not in Christ any more? I don't think so. We sin everyday, and it really takes no effort on our part. I would try not to get confused with sanctification and justification. Once you are sealed by the Holy Spirit, there is no return.

In other words once you receive the package "ye shall not surely die."

 

[Elijah674]

A short cautionary note. If we repent and put our trust in Jesus, we are in Christ. Now, if by chance, someone sins, and at one aspect of his walk he is not fully surrendered, is he not in Christ any more? I don't think so. We sin everyday, and it really takes no effort on our part. I would try not to get confused with sanctification and justification. Once you are sealed by the Holy Spirit, there is no return. You are a child of God in Christ.

Ephesians 1:13
New King James Version (NKJV)
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

Our obedience doesn't keep us in Christ, rather, it is evidence that we are in Christ. Another way to put it is because we are led by the Holy Spirit, we know we are in Christ as Elihah674 pointed out in Romans 8:1.

- Davies

So the post has it OSAS. We cannot have it both ways! Join the many other [posts] at our Obad. 1:16 warning??! Hey, these ones had drank of the Lord's Holy Mt. + had been Born Again! Heb. 6:1-6 'Made Partakers of the Holy Ghost'!

NO. We are not created as brain/dead robots. We can & do as you admit in your [post].. sin. We can be in Christ & then lost again out of Christ later. Where this is IMPORTANT is where one ENDS UP AT in full MATURITY! 1 John 5:16-17 has the real brethern IN Christ with the sin not unto death being seen. This is where the forums problem arises from. It is not the one or two time sin that is the Great Transgression's (Psalms 19:13) Sin Against The Holy Ghost. But the MATURE END OF SIN THAT IS FATAL! James 1:15

And all or any sin Grieves the Holy Spirit. If taught & lived on & on, then in time, there is just no way that He can reach us! That is why we see the vast number of the Broadway ones of Matt. 7 + the Rev. 17:1-5 who have already been prophesied as the abomination of the earth.

The Gen. 6:3's STRIVING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT along with Noah's preaching for 120 yrs. just could not budge them. As it is again seen Prophesied as above for long past any 120 yrs. that these ones have been around!

Who on these forums have changed for the better?? But few if any. Most could not even be pried from their OSAS false brain dead doctrine!

--Elijah

 

[tessiewebb]

In other words once you receive the package "ye shall not surely die."

I appreciate your post Digger as well as the one from Davies. However, I'm in hopes that this thread will not turn into a discussion of whether or not we can "lose" our salvation.

Instead, I'd like to see what it means in terms of what God means for us to have in this life and to be able to do when we are IN Christ. For instance, Jesus said who lives and believes IN Me shall never die. He asked Martha, "Do you believe this?" Do we?

He also said, "these things and greater shall you do because I go to the Father". Things He did is all encased in His operating as the Son of God. Since we are being conformed to His image "from glory to glory" aren't we able to heal the sick, raise the dead, make lepers whole, and preach with authority the Kingdom of God as He did? If so, why is it so rare to hear of healings, the dead being raised, the imprisoned set free? If that same Spirit that rested on Jesus resides in us and the fullness of the Godhead, why are we (the church) so powerless against the world and its evils?

1 John tells us that which is "begotten of God cannot sin". So why do we? What are we as a Body missing?

 

[Adullam]

Being in Christ means walking in the power of the resurrected Lord. It means we walk according to divine power. Just as Jesus walked on the earth. It is impossible to sin when we are in Christ. We may be enticed away from this intimate rest through a previous conditioning, loneliness, or immature desire.

That is why it is important to be renewed in our minds and take on the character of Christ. An immature person cannot remain long in the Spirit. It is like a child trying to appreciate the finest wine. Kool-aid seems better.

 

[savedbygrace57]

What does being IN Christ mean to us?

I cannot speak for the Us, but it first must begin by being Chosen in Him before the foundation Eph 1:4. If that was not the case, all else is sinking sand !

 

[Davies]

Who on these forums have changed for the better?? But few if any. Most could not even be pried from their OSAS false brain dead doctrine!

--Elijah

Hi Elijah,

You'll have to forgive me, but I haven't been in discussion forums long enough to know what OSAS is. I don't know what you mean. Also, my differences of opinion regarding the Bible references you noted shouldn't be discussed in this thread, but I would like to make a couple of points. I think, instead of focussing on what we do for the Lord, we should focus on what He has done for us. I think if we do this, our love for Him will grow and we will serve Him naturally.

To tessiewebb's point of why we don't see the miracles, there are many suggested reasons for, but I think that bringing the Gospel to those who don't believe, and then to see them come to faith in Jesus is a greater miracle then any of the healing of the body Jesus performed. Even this work is performed by the Holy Spirit and not by us, although it is of the highest privilege to be part of His work. It's amazing that anyone comes to faith in Jesus, not because Jesus isn't great enough, but because our hearts are so evil. We are still a work in progress even if it advances at a snail's pace, and thank God for that.

- Davies

 

[Slider]

Well, it says we are in Christ, but it also says Christ is in us. We may be in Christ... and we are, but on the flip side Christ is just as much in us as we are in him.

Let me ask and interesting question... What is your name?

My name is Jesus Christ.

No, call me "Slider" or Freddie.... But really it's Jesus. I have a verse for that, but I can't find it.... But it says the whole family is named by him.

 

[Elijah674]

"In Christ" is a frequently used phrase in the NT. In all I can recall, it seems to have the same meaning. But what is that meaning?

Rom. 8:1 say's it this way...
[1] There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Just wondering, is your thinking of Agape Love understood to burn the lost ones in hell eternally?? the ones who are documented as judged diffently according to Eccl. 12:13-14 final conclusion??

And the ones of Luke 12:47-48?? has Christ documenting that some will definitely be beaten differently in the Hell/fire heat?

And these ones were never the Lord's as seen in Matt. 7??
[22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

[23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

[24] Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

[25] And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

[26] And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

[27] And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

And do you think that these ones had never been 'MADE PARTAKERS OF THE HOLY GHOST?? The Heb. 6:1-6 ones. (that is a question??) Had they never been 'IN CHRIST' at one time?? Or is God looking at I never knew you as His for/knowledge conclusion?

The Obad. 1:16 ones were actually seen as prophesied...

[16] For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be [as though they had not] been.

It does seem that these ones were Born Again and 'IN CHRIST' at one time, and just would not follow on as seen in Rom. 8:1 first, & then on to verse 14 of being 'LED' into more requirements for maturing!! Like Hosea 4:6

I can just picture them now telling God with even more than is presented in Matt. 7, that Lord, I am saved,I have been Born Again, what more do I need??

Kind of like the O.T. Sanctuary requirement of offering a lamb sacrifice pointing by faith to Christ, and then telling God that to go on further into the Sanctuary to the required lavor washing, & then the Bread Eating (Matt. 4:4) +, was not needed, so they just claimed OSAS (or all that is needed Lord, is to only believe!) & went on back home lost for all of Eternity!

--Elijah

 

[tessiewebb]

Well, it says we are in Christ, but it also says Christ is in us. We may be in Christ... and we are, but on the flip side Christ is just as much in us as we are in him.

Let me ask and interesting question... What is your name?

My name is Jesus Christ.

No, call me "Slider" or Freddie.... But really it's Jesus. I have a verse for that, but I can't find it.... But it says the whole family is named by him.

Hi, Slider, interesting question. Yes, I recall such a verse also that names us as His. However, I understand that to those who overcome will be given a new name, basically one that no one knows now, including us. So, I could say, I have no clue as to my name. Your point is well taken that we are both in Him and He in us.

My question is what does that mean that He is in us? What effect does His indwelling have on us in practical terms? Clearly we should be able to hear Him speaking more clearly since He is as close as our heart. I don't see much evidence of that in the Christians I know or even in myself. Too often I hear myself and others saying "I want", "I need" "I must" "I should", ad infinitum. Then there's the voiced and unvoiced doubts in myself and others.

Maybe that's just me though. No one among the responsive posts I've read so far indicate what goes on inside us since He is there. He said if we keep His word, He and the Father will come and dwell in us. So why is there often times so much trouble understanding His will and purposes? Jesus said He only did what He saw the Father doing and we know He said the Father was in Him. So then how did He see what the Father was doing? He also said "Father in Heaven" in the Lord's prayer. And when He healed someone, had He already seen the Father doing the very same thing for that particular person? These are questions I'd like to be answered. They are interesting to me and I hope someone else is as curious. Maybe that's my new name, Curiousity?

 

[Kidron]

"In Christ" is a frequently used phrase in the NT. In all I can recall, it seems to have the same meaning. But what is that meaning?

It means that you have now become a Son/Daughter of the Most High.
U are not only redeemed and restored to the family of God, but you have co-ownership, right now, of all that God has, all that God is, and all that God can do.
This is your inheritance that was won for you at Calvary and given to you freely when you were adopted into the family of God the instant you placed your faith in the grace of God's love and mercy through Christ's atonement.

The inheritance is so deep and complete that it restores you "in Christ" to be seated with Christ in heaven right now.
Christ has now become you, and you have become him, is the identity that God now has reestablished you to exist within.

The bible says you have become "bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh", and that is a union which is eternal and is explained in the bible as you becoming a "new creature" or a "new creation".....In Christ.
You are now existing within the Kingdom of Light as a child of Light, and within this Kingdom you are equipped with all that Christ is equipped to do, and that is why he told you that you would, in his stead, do "greater works" then he did.

And what rights do you have?..what blood bought Abrahamic covenant rights do you have as a "joint heir" "In Christ".??? You have the same power, the same rights, the same "authority", as Christ himself has, with the only difference being that he is Lord and you are not.
The bible says that as Christ is one in God, you are also...
Status wise, u are a Son/Daughter of God, exactly as he is a Son, with all the divine rights and entitlements to God and his provision and power, that Christ has access to himself.
Christ is in you, and his power and his authority are in you.
Christ is in you, and his mind and his will and his love are in you.
Christ is in you, and because of this, you are given authority, in his name, to do his works, exactly as he did them when he was here, exactly as God does them now through Christ who is in you..




K

 

[tessiewebb]

It means that you have now become a Son/Daughter of the Most High.
U are not only redeemed and restored to the family of God, but you have co-ownership, right now, of all that God has, all that God is, and all that God can do.
This is your inheritance that was won for you at Calvary and given to you freely when you were adopted into the family of God the instant you placed your faith in the grace of God's love and mercy through Christ's atonement.

The inheritance is so deep and complete that it restores you "in Christ" to be seated with Christ in heaven right now.
Christ has now become you, and you have become him, is the identity that God now has reestablished you to exist within.

The bible says you have become "bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh", and that is a union which is eternal and is explained in the bible as you becoming a "new creature" or a "new creation".....In Christ.
You are now existing within the Kingdom of Light as a child of Light, and within this Kingdom you are equipped with all that Christ is equipped to do, and that is why he told you that you would, in his stead, do "greater works" then he did.

And what rights do you have?..what blood bought Abrahamic covenant rights do you have as a "joint heir" "In Christ".??? You have the same power, the same rights, the same "authority", as Christ himself has, with the only difference being that he is Lord and you are not.
The bible says that as Christ is one in God, you are also...
Status wise, u are a Son/Daughter of God, exactly as he is a Son, with all the divine rights and entitlements to God and his provision and power, that Christ has access to himself.
Christ is in you, and his power and his authority are in you.
Christ is in you, and his mind and his will and his love are in you.
Christ is in you, and because of this, you are given authority, in his name, to do his works, exactly as he did them when he was here, exactly as God does them now through Christ who is in you..K

Think this deserves to be bumped up. Now how about you start a thread on what it means that He is in us? Really would like to see that thread started.

 

[Elijah674]

Think this deserves to be bumped up. Now how about you start a thread on what it means that He is in us? Really would like to see that thread started.

Just a 1/2 Truth is NO TRUTH, that of Rom. 8:1, has a verse 14! God requires ALL to have the ETERNAL CONDITION applied.. and done.

Rom. 8
[1] There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
.......

[14] For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

--Elijah

PS: And no one even has the Holy Spirit who does 'yield' theirself in OBEYING GOD'S CONDITIONS! Acts 5:32

 

[Kidron]

Rom. 8
[1] There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Actually this verse is not saying that if you dont live the Christian life you are .................
Whats its showing you is that you are now become spiritually positioned "in Christ" and because of this new born again position, the law has no more right or power over us to condemn us, as we are free from the law and it has, on behalf of a Christian been abolished...2nd Corinthians 3:11,13.
A simple way to understand it, is to think of it like this..
"we as Christians now walk as saved people who are no longer under the law, whereas before, we were all condemned with the world being under the law"

See, the law was given so that all the world would become guilty before God and from this understanding, we then turn to God for pardon, which is Salvation.
Once we are forgiven, the law, which was only there to show us our lost condition, is now longer in effect , for "had there been a law that could have given righteousness, the righteousness would have come by the Law".
But it cant.
All the Law can do is condemn, and expose sin, and show us our need for the pardon that was given by God through Christ.
After we are saved, the law is no longer able to condemn us, as we are released from its power to condemn us.
We are no longer condemned, as we are no longer under the law, but we are under Grace.



.......

[14] For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.


God would that we are all obedient to his will, which is to be led of the Spirit, however, we are not saved by doing this,...we are saved by Grace that is given us when we put our faith in the finished work of Jesus.
At that moment, every born again person, is given the Spirit of God, which is Christ in you, the hope of Glory.
This Holy Spirit of God, seals you unto the day of redemption of your physical body, and you cannot undo it, or sin it away, or lose it, as you have been joined with God and Christ by "new birth", and this cant ever be undone as you didnt do it.....It was applied to you by Faith, and this regeneration has adopted you and redeemed you back into the family of God and cannot ever be undone.
Its is an eternal pardon, that is not of yourself, but is a Gift from God.




PS: And no one even has the Holy Spirit who does 'yield' theirself in OBEYING GOD'S CONDITIONS! Acts 5:32


This scripture is to be interpreted by 1Tim 2:4.
To "obey" God, in the context of these 2 scriptures is the doctrinal understanding of Acts 5:32...

So, when you obey God and Take his SON by Faith, you have Obeyed the requirement for Salvation.
And once you do that, you get the Holy Spirit.


Brother Elijah 674,
you seem to have a real dogmatic legalistic mindset.

I hope that you are able to come to the understanding that we dont keep the law to be saved, and we are given the Holy Spirit, not based on works or effort, but based on receiving Christ.



be blessed,


K

................

 

[elijah23]

"In Christ" is a frequently used phrase in the NT. In all I can recall, it seems to have the same meaning. But what is that meaning?

I haven't given this much thought. If you think of all of us being spirits, and if you think of Jesus's spirit as being very large, then all of our spirits could be in his spirit.

 

[tessiewebb]

After listening to this video, I have a much better understanding of what it means that our lives are hid with Christ in God.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JQoC0JwHlg&feature=relmfu