“In Christ” – Philippians 1:1

 A dear friend used to relate the story of several oversea soldiers who were stationed near London during the war. One evening three of them decided to go for a walk, and as they walked a fog began to descend making it harder to see where they were going. So, they finally came to a lamp post and decided to stand by it and wait for the fog to lift as they were unsure of their surroundings and how to get to where they wanted to go. Later on an officer passed them by and he noticed they had failed to salute him- his ego was hurt. So, he turned back and walked by them again- still no salute! So he turned back and this time when they failed to salute him based on his rank, he said “Don’t you know who I am?” One of the soldiers said to his fellow soldiers in jest, found great humor in saying, “He doesn’t know who he is and we don’t know where we are!” They all- except the officer- had a good laugh! But truth be known many of us who have been convicted by God of offending Him in our thoughts, words and deeds and have by His enabling turned and placed ourselves under the authority of the Lord Jesus to rule over us and rescue us from living lives in habitual rebellion to God- many of us “don’t know who we are, what we have or where we are? Consider with me the little phrase “In Christ.”

How many times have you read over the phrase “IN CHRIST”- and failed to see the significance? It’s easy to do, hopefully the verses below will give you fuel for praise to God as you read and to accept the TRUTH from God of some of the Benefits from Him to you because of HIS KINDNESS and the sacrifice of His SINLESS SON.

“IN THE ARK.”  – We read that Noah obeyed God – by faith- and built and ark and placed animals in it as God has said, then God shut the door- and the floods began to come and only his family along with the animals who were inside the ark were safe from the destructive elements and floods that God used to judge the wickedness of people’s lives. All were destroyed except those who were “IN THE ARK.” It is in right relationship with God as a child of God that we are in a spiritual way placed “In Christ”– Our souls are safe,“kept, guarded, by the power of God.”  {1 Peter 1:4-5} His Word concerning us is true- we are secure in Him – No one can snatch our souls away from Him. Nothing can separate us from the love of God, neither things created, people, circumstances- nor sin itself. “But God being rich in mercy while we were yet sinners, ungodly, helpless, enemies of God the Scripture says- deserving of Hell we read these wonderful words, “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”  {Ephesians 2:4-9.}. Safe, Secure “In Christ” from the final judgment God will make on all those who have refused His offering of His Son as the Substitute for their sin and His Righteousness made available to all who turn and trust in Him- those outside of Christ face a terrible, frightening eternity. For those who have submitted to Him- they have security and surety “In Christ,” as did Noah and his family “in the Ark.”

“CITIES OF REFUGE.” – In The Old Testament, God in His mercy made provision by designating six cities, for those who accidentally killed someone in Israel. If they could make it inside those cities they were safe from the avenger. God had designated PLACES of refuge. Today God no longer has places of refuge, but  spiritual refuge is found in – A PERSON- His Son- The Lord Jesus. Just as it was “safe” in the cities that were provided by God, which is but a picture of eternal protection for the soul who is “IN CHRIST.” Our souls are “safe , kept , guarded by God Himself.. It does not mean we are sheltered from sorrows, sadness or troubles on this earth, But our souls are “secure,” we are never alone, for His guarantee , He will never leave nor forsake us is a Promise He has made, will not break for He is faithful to His Word!

“IN THE ARK….”CITIES OF REFUGE,” gives us something of a “picture” of the Provision of God for those who trust the Lord Jesus, those who flee to Him!- Safe and Secure form the avenger of satan, sin and spiritual death!

“In Christ” is one of Paul’s favorite phrases. In his letters he uses the term “In Christ Jesus” fifty times; “In Christ” 29 times and “In the Lord” 45 times. Being “In Christ” make a person acceptable to God and is the only way, a person can be, and therefore  should be the the source of Great Joy. Paul in Galatians 3:26 says “….in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith… !”  “In Christ” means to be in the family of God!

WHERE YOU ARE? – ” In Christ,” and from the Scriptures you can see some truth’s for you to Know and Enjoy as a child of God. These are true for us positionally and available to us practically ENJOY and PRAISE Him for  what it cost Him to make it so for… you!

1. – In Christ ETERNAL LIFE is found “In Christ”
Paul wrote to the Romans – Rom 6:23 –“  “For the wages of sin is death, But the Gift of God is eternal life IN CHRIST Jesus our Lord” – Thank You, LORD!

2. – In Christ there is NO CONDEMNATION;
Rom 8:1- “There is therefore no condemnation for those who are IN CHRIST Jesus”- Thank You, LORD! – Thank You, LORD!

3. – In Christ  there is a NEW CREATION;
2  Cor 5:17 “If anyone is  IN CHRIST he is a new creation, the old has gone the new has come” – Thank You, LORD!

4. – In Christ there is JOY/ GLADNESS;
Phil 1:26- “so that through my being with you again your JOY IN CHRIST Jesus will overflow on account of me.” – Thank You, LORD!

5. -In Christ there is ENCOURAGEMENT;
Phil 2:1 “Since and you have ENCOURAGEMENT from being UNITED With Christ” – Thank You, LORD!

6. – In Christ there is RIGHTEOUSNESS;
Phil 3:9 – “ and being found in Him not having a RIGHTEOUSNESS of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith IN Christ- the righteousness that comes from God is by faith.” – Thank You, LORD!

7. – In Christ there is PEACE
Phil 4:6 – “ And the Peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds IN CHRIST Jesus.” – Thank You, LORD!

8. – In Christ there is PROVISION
Phil 4:19 – “ And my God will meet All your Needs according to His glorious riches IN CHRIST Jesus.”– Thank You, LORD!

Thank God for His kindness at great personal expense to make it possible to Know Him, to have Him as our Heavenly Gracious, Kind and loving Eternal Father and to know  from His Word, the privileges, and to thank HIM that we, you, me by His great mercy and grace are “In Christ.” Who are you? A CHILD of God, in a right relationship with God by His doing, that is who you and all believers are the Bible teaches! – Thank You, LORD!

Again go back and look at the verses and see the BLESSINGS for you NOW!!!! You are “IN THE ARK,” of God’s Son. You are in the city of Refuge- of God’s Son. Your soul experiences, blessings, both temporal and eternal are “IN CHRIST!

God has blessed you,”In Christ.” Your soul is eternally  SURE AND SECURE  “IN CHRIST.” God has made provisions guarantees of eternal life, no condemnation, new creation, joy, encouragement, righteousness, peace, provision! – Thank You, LORD!

 

Safe and secure my soul I know to be,

Safe and Secure because of the Blood shed for me.

Safe and secure My Savior to Know,

Safe and secure may my heart overflow- with songs to Him who has made it so!

PERSONAL APPLICATION;

  • Take one of the above verses write on a 3 by 5 card and place on a mirror where you can see it as you brush your teeth, wash your hands, a place to continually be reminded to think on and meditate on word by word and hide in your heart as “fuel for your faith and worship.” carry another card on you so throughout the day, so when you have free time you can read, re read and train your MIND TO THINK ON TRUTH which TRANSFORMS us and develops us to think correctly about who He is and who we are “In Christ”- {Read Romans 12:2; Phil 4;8} commit to memory. When thoughts of condemnation come to mind, REPLACE the Lies with TRUTH  IN ORDER TO RENEW your mind and think from God’s perspective of who He says you are “IN CHRIST!”
  • THINK ON WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR YOU- “IN CHRIST”
  • PRAISE HIM
  • SHARE HIM- Our “Ark, our Refuge!”

” But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, …”{ 1 Cor 1:30}

Thank You, LORD!