In Christ

In his epistle to the church at Rome, Paul writes, "So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Rom 6:11). It's an interesting concept -- consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God. It's a mindset -- "consider yourselves." And it's two-fold -- "dead to sin" and "alive to God." And any of us who are believers can tell you how hard that is to accomplish. I mean, even though we are "the chosen," "the elect," the forgiven, we still battle with sin. So it is, in fact, those last few words that are critical -- "in Christ Jesus."

As it turns out, Scripture speaks a lot about being "in Christ." Our redemption is in Christ and nowhere else (Rom 3:24). We are one body in Christ (Rom 12:5). We are sanctified -- set apart to God -- in Christ (1 Cor 1:2). We are made alive in Christ (especially in contrast to being "in Adam") (1 Cor 15:22). We are triumphant in Christ (2 Cor 2:14). We are new creations in Christ (2 Cor 5:17). And so very much more. "In Christ" for the believer makes all the difference.

It is this unique distinction that makes what would appear to be foolishly impossible possible. We are blessed with "every spiritual blessing" in Christ (Eph 1:3-14), which means that we can rejoice always (Php 4:4). It is on this basis that we can "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thess 5:16-18). How is that even possible? "This is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." And that's just a sampling of the power of being in Christ. Paul wrote, "All the promises of God find their 'Yes' in Him" (2 Cor 1:20). None of the Christian life is actually possible without Him. On the other hand, all of it is possible and powered in Him. If you are having difficulty with any of it, perhaps you should re-engage that connection, because that's the place that miracles happen -- in Him.