2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! Amplified Bible (AMP)
As I mentioned earlier this week, our church celebrated baptism this past weekend. It is a public declaration that we are in Christ and Christ is in us. Many things that I've read this week have expanded upon what it means to be in Christ. The Amplified Bible does just this at the beginning of the verse. If we are truly in Christ we are "ingrafted", we have become part of the vine, drawing our life giving power from Him. We can become channels of His love, power and grace.
In a recent blog post, Pastor John Piper lists some of the things that we have in Christ:
If you are "in Christ" listen to what it means for you:
In Christ Jesus you were given grace before the world was created. 2 Timothy 1:9, "He gave us grace in Christ Jesus before the ages began."
In Christ Jesus you were chosen by God before creation. Ephesians 1:4, "God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world."
In Christ Jesus you are loved by God with an inseparable love. Romans 8:38–39, "I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
In Christ Jesus you were redeemed and forgiven for all your sins. Ephesians 1:7, "In Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses."
In Christ Jesus you are justified before God and the righteousness of God in Christ is imputed to you. 2 Corinthians 5:21, "For our sake God made Christ to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
In Christ Jesus you have become a new creation and a son of God. 2 Corinthians 5:17, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." Galatians 3:26, "In Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith."
In Christ Jesus you have been seated in the heavenly places even while he lived on earth. Ephesians 2:6, "God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
In Christ Jesus all the promises of God are Yes for you. 2 Corinthians 1:20, "All the promises of God find their Yes in Christ."
In Christ Jesus you are being sanctified and made holy. 1 Corinthians 1:2, "To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus."
In Christ Jesus everything you really needed will be supplied. Philippians 4:19, "My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
In Christ Jesus you were chosen by God before creation. Ephesians 1:4, "God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world."
In Christ Jesus you are loved by God with an inseparable love. Romans 8:38–39, "I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
In Christ Jesus you were redeemed and forgiven for all your sins. Ephesians 1:7, "In Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses."
In Christ Jesus you are justified before God and the righteousness of God in Christ is imputed to you. 2 Corinthians 5:21, "For our sake God made Christ to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
In Christ Jesus you have become a new creation and a son of God. 2 Corinthians 5:17, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." Galatians 3:26, "In Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith."
In Christ Jesus you have been seated in the heavenly places even while he lived on earth. Ephesians 2:6, "God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
In Christ Jesus all the promises of God are Yes for you. 2 Corinthians 1:20, "All the promises of God find their Yes in Christ."
In Christ Jesus you are being sanctified and made holy. 1 Corinthians 1:2, "To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus."
In Christ Jesus everything you really needed will be supplied. Philippians 4:19, "My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
Pick one or two of these things, these verses and meditate on what you have, who you are "in Christ".
In Christ,
Mike
Mike
Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
2 Corinthians 5:16-18 English Standard Version (ESV)
16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;
16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;
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