Mankind has everlasting rest for their souls when there is unity in relation to Christ. The restlessness and disgrace caused by sin dominates the life who does not know Christ as they are overpowered by unrighteousness. There is a yearning; a thirst of the human soul for perfection in everything, but the surrounding and the flesh resists. Until Christ fills everything, and shines upon the hidden areas of the human heart, progress is inconceivable. God created a good world, but sin by man and woman had marred the good creation bringing both of them into subjection. God refuses to abandon the work of his hands and is relentlessly making things right. Christ is the mediator, God’s own son sent to earth to finish the Father’s work.
"It is through him that one blessing flows after another."
It is because of his faithfulness in dying on the cross that mankind is loved by God. The faithfulness of Christ is the only way mankind can be pleasing to God. Without Christ, there is restlessness; there is no direction for mankind, no light to make things clear. Christ makes an invitation to all. He says, “come to me and drink,” he says, “abide in me.” It is an invitation to be filled, to be “in him.”
One
of the depictions of being “in Christ” described in Scripture is the
identification of death and life with him. It is the recognizing that by
believing in the Son, a new heart has been given, a heart of flesh. We must
understand being “in Christ” is not merely a concept but a position; a real,
new position as opposed to the subjugated, former restless way of life.
Here
are other ways that Scripture describes being “in Christ” as related to the
discussion. In 1 and 2 Corinthians, believers receive grace in Christ and are a
new creation in Christ. In Philippians, God supplies all our needs in Christ.
In Galatians, believers are justified in Christ. In Ephesians, we have every
spiritual blessing of heaven in Christ Jesus and have forgiveness of sins in
Christ. In Colossians, we will be presented to God perfect in Christ. In the
book of Romans, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
there is eternal life in Christ Jesus, and there is no separation from the love
of God in Christ. Lastly, also in Romans, our redemption is in Christ, and we
are one body together with fellow believers in Christ Jesus. Scripture gives
the description of what it means to be “in Christ” as a list of blessings and
grace given by God alone, and a fresh order of relationship between God and
those who follow him.
As a position then, to be “in
Christ” has many trickling implications because it is describing the
relationship between believers and Christ Jesus. It affects not just the
individual believer but also the body of believers who worship God. For the
individual believer, the significance includes walking in accordance with the
grace received; meaning it is overall an issue of an identity. The believer is
no longer walking according to the flesh but walking in the new way of life
provided through Christ Jesus. The believer is no longer marked by sin but has
been redeemed and marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit. There is now a
restored image, a renewed image given to the believer. To be “in Christ” is to
put off the old person, and live in the new manner and way of life that is in
Christ Jesus.
For the believer to be “in Christ” means walking in according to the new identity and grace given. Just as being “in Christ” is a change of position for the individual believer, it is also a position of new relationship for the life of the church. When the parts of the body are made well, the body also functions well together. The body of believers being “in Christ” symbolizes a new identity for the life of the church. This new identity is characterized by benefits of being in Christ. True community is present where there is genuine care for all types of people, and no one is neglected. Burdens and blessings are shared, while needs are met. Within the body of believers, the power of Christ is seen in the hands, as well as the eye. The whole body functions well together. Being “in Christ” is concerned with identity formation for the individual believer just as the identity development of the life of the church. Both are intertwined seeking God to make the single person new, and also the surrounding and everyone else new.
Lewis Sperry Chafer writes in
He That is Spiritual, “Walking by
means of the Spirit is simply walking by a definite reliance upon the ability
and power of the One who indwells.”
For the believer to be “in Christ” means walking in according to the new identity and grace given. Just as being “in Christ” is a change of position for the individual believer, it is also a position of new relationship for the life of the church. When the parts of the body are made well, the body also functions well together. The body of believers being “in Christ” symbolizes a new identity for the life of the church. This new identity is characterized by benefits of being in Christ. True community is present where there is genuine care for all types of people, and no one is neglected. Burdens and blessings are shared, while needs are met. Within the body of believers, the power of Christ is seen in the hands, as well as the eye. The whole body functions well together. Being “in Christ” is concerned with identity formation for the individual believer just as the identity development of the life of the church. Both are intertwined seeking God to make the single person new, and also the surrounding and everyone else new.
It is a cry for fellowship to be restored between God, all mankind, and
his creation.
Being “in Christ” is significant for
the life of the believer and for the life of the Church. It is important
because it is concerned with identity, and identity is the foundation where
actions proceed. In the former way of life, mankind was bound to sin and all
the passions and desires of the flesh. It was the corruption of identity
therefore every action ensued from a corrupted heart. Believers now have a new
heart and new identity in Christ Jesus; therefore there is a new foundation
from where actions will spring from. Jesus says in John 6:38 that whoever
believes in him, springs of living water will flow from within him, and John
comments he was speaking of the Spirit which would be given. Praise God! Christ
gives his Spirit to those who come to him and drink, that from their hearts
that have been made new, there would be rivers flowing from within them. The
actions they would do from then on would come from the pure heart that he has
given them. Then, the believer could love others, show kindness and compassion,
have joy and peace, be gentle and patient, and be clothed in righteousness, and
guard their hearts.
The significance for the life of the
church to be “in Christ” is along the same understanding for the individual. It
is the body of believers learning who they are, and living it to the glory of
the One who redeemed them. It is so that the life of Christ will be enriched in
the life of the people, and everyone will grow to the full maturity of Christ.
It is the church having union in relationship with God and with one another. It
is because Christ died on the cross acting faithfully to the divine will that
life is possible. That is why it is “in him” and not anybody else! Amen! He is
the mediator between God and mankind. Mankind now, not only can thirst for the
perfection of all things but can see Christ and his fullness and come to him to
receive him and know him.
Go to him, sit at the well, and drink of him. Brother, Sister, drink and eat, for He is the bread of life. Those who come to him will never go hungry and those who believe in him will never be thirsty.
Kingsley
