A New Position in Christ
The Christian’s new identity is based on his or her position “in Christ.” The prepositional phrase “in Christ,” “in Him,” or “in the beloved’ is one of the most often-used expressions in the Epistles. The phrase occurs 40 times in the book of Ephesians alone. It means that our souls are in union with God. For every verse stating that Christ is in us (see Colossians 1:27), there are 10 verses stating that we are “in Christ.” “In Christ” we are called to salvation (see 1 Corinthians 7:22); regenerated (see Ephesians 1:3; 2:10); and justified (see Romans 8:1-2). “In Christ” we die (see 1 Thessalonians 4:16), and “in Him” our bodies will be raised up again (see 1 Corinthians 15:22).
Every step in becoming more like Jesus is made possible because we are spiritually alive “in Christ.” We are to be firmly rooted “in Him” in order to be built up “in Him,” which makes it possible to live “in Him” (Colossians 2:6-7). This dependency and union with God is Paul’s explanation for how we can live the Christian life. In sending Timothy to Corinth, Paul said, “He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church” (1 Corinthians 4:17, emphasis added).
“God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son” (1 John. 5:11, emphasis added). Paul speaks of “the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:1, emphasis added). “In Christ” are “faith and love” (1 Timothy 1:14); “grace” (2 Timothy 2:1); “salvation” (2:10); “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians. 2:3); and God’s “riches” (Philippians 4:19). Paul says that it is because of God’s work that Christians are “in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30, emphasis added).
With our identity in Christ come the blessings that Christ alone has merited. “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). Further, “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29). “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority” (Colossians 2:9-10).
Notice that the phrase “have been brought” is past tense. We were incomplete without Christ, but now we have been made complete (fullness). As believers, we are not trying to become children of God; rather, we are already children of God who are in the process of becoming like Christ. Now that we complete in Christ, the goal is to proclaim Jesus, “admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ” (Colossians 1:28).
Paul contrasts the means by which we grow in Christ with the human traditions of the world. “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ” (Colossians 2:8). All the humanistic wisdom of this world cannot reproduce in us what only the life of Christ can. Paul says, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13, emphasis added); and Jesus tells us, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
Questions to ponder:
Why is it so important to know who we are “in Christ?”
What does your position in Christ mean to you on a daily basis?
How can the reality of being rooted in Christ strengthen you to become more like Him?
Neil T. Anderson is the founder of Freedom in Christ Ministries. He began the ministry in 1989 and continues to spread the message of freedom to this day.