Our security, Our privileges, Union with Him. The way of life of a person in Christ. Our objective relationship, and also personal.
In Christ – a conversion. Romans 16:7: "They were in Christ before I was..."
In Christ – an experience. 2 Corinthians 12:2: "I know a man in Christ who 14 years ago was caught up to the third heaven."
In Christ is how God regards us. It began with Predestination (Ephesians 1:4) then we were called & justified (2 Corinthians 5:21), then glorified (Rom 8:30)
Christ in us - Colossians 1:27 "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles, the glorious riches of this mystery which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
Christ is in us objectively (outside our mind). He is there whether we feel it or not.
Christ is in us subjectively - Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
We consciously feel & perceive He is at work in us by His Spirit in us.
IMPORTANT: We need to bring the intellectual and experiential together.
Many only enjoy the legally true facts of justification by faith, but never discover that in experience.
Both are needed.
Imputed objective or imparted subjective righteousness.
Emphasizing one may lead to loss of balance, such as dry intellectualism / careless living.
In Christ is a privilege and a responsibility. It is intimacy with God who reveals His glory.
Christ in us Objectively = At time of new birth & discovering what it means in life
In Him & He in me. How God saw us before birth: God sees us as justified at new birth.
We have union with Christ’s death, burial, raised and ascended.
When Christ died, God saw us as having died, our old nature was crucified with Him. Romans 6:6, Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ." 2 Corinthians 5:14 "One died for all, and therefore all died."
God saw us as having been buried with Christ, raised with Him, taken up into heaven in glory. Romans 6:4-11
God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in heaven in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6
"Having been buried with Him in baptism in which you were also raised with Him through your faith in the power of God who raised Him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins & in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins." Colossians 2:12-13
This all happened in our lifetime at new birth.
This brings about the change in our lifestyle, our values, our priorities; changes in our character, personality, experience, understanding, and conduct.
It’s the result of being in Christ & Christ in us. Galatians 2:20 "Christ lives in me."
The Holy Spirit reproduces Jesus death & new life in us as the old nature loses its hold on us. We have died to the former life (Romans 7:6). We died with Christ (Colossians 3:3).
We want to serve God more & experience greater power & blessing.
We are alive in Christ. Romans 6:11 Power to overcome personal sin. Romans 6:12-14
Christ in us objectively is why we sense Him in us subjectively. Christ in us, we in Christ.
Our part? "It is right to refresh your memory as I live in the tent of this body." 2 Peter 1:13
"Fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands." 2 Timothy 1:6
"Letters written to you to remind you to stimulate you to wholesome thinking." 2 Peter 3:1
Breaking of Bread to remember Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:24
Biblical ways to experience subjectively what is true objectively.
The Holy Spirit works in us to enjoy every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)
In Christ we lack no spiritual gift (1 Corinthians 1:7) "Eagerly desire the greater gifts" (1 Corinthians 12:31)
Each one is different. Different gifts.
Sanctification Faith: Justified by faith (Romans 5:1)
"Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord continue to live in Him, rooted & built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught & overflowing with thankfulness." (Colossians 2:6-7)
Saving faith justifies achieving faith results breakthroughs.
Faith produces works: Ephesians 2:10, 1 Thessalonians 1:3
Achieving faith in Hebrews 11:39: "All commended for their faith"
Enjoy being in Christ & He in us.
Abiding in Christ; Remain in Me & I in you. "You cannot bear fruit unless you remain in Me. " John 15:4
Experience what is true. Retain intimacy, expect response: "If you remain in Me & My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish & it will be given to you." John 15:7
You remain in Him through obedience & faith. John 15:9-10 "If you obey my commands you will remain in My love."
"My command is this, love each other as I have loved you." John 15:12
Not grieving the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:30 "Not grieving the Holy of God by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
The Holy Spirit is sensitive. (1 Thessalonians 5:19) Grieve Him & we lose clear thinking & insight. We go our own way & He is not involved. We lose sense of the presence of Christ.
What causes Him grief?
- Bitterness. James 2:14. Hebrews 12:15
- Anger. Colossians 3:8
- Slander. Galatians 5:20
- Grudge. Colossians 3:13
Put to death the remains of the sinful nature (Colossians 3:5) Refuse to give in (Romans 13:12) Avoid temptation (Romans 13:14).
What is the sinful nature?
- Sexual immorality. Colossians 3:5
- Greed. 1 Tim 6:10
- Filthy language. Colossians 3:8
- Lying. Colossians 3:9
- Drunkenness. Rom 13:13
- Jealousy, Idolatry. Galatians 5:20
- Selfish ambition. James 4:14
"Love your neighbour as yourself." (Romans 13:9-10)
Are you going through trials? Do not complain. Learn to praise the Lord in the trial. See God in it.
James 1:2 "Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds."
Every trial has God’s timescale in it. James 1:4 "Perseverance must finish its work so you may be mature & complete lacking nothing."
Walk in love (1 Corinthians 13). Eliminates envy, boasting, pride, rudeness, lack of control, keeping record of wrongs. Fulfils the law (Romans 13:10).
What is the best way to obtain to obtain the greater gifts? Desire them! 1 Corinthians 12:31
2 Peter 1:8 "Keep you from being ineffective & unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
"Husbands love your wives. Wives submit to your husbands." Ephesians 5:22, Ephesians 5:25
"Walk in the light" 1 John 1:7
Accept & obey the fresh Word lightened up by the Holy Spirit.
Accept the plain meaning. Do what it tells you to do.
Tithing? Dignify trials, total forgiveness, personal witness, willing to change opinions.
"Filled with the Spirit" Ephesians 5:18 - a command. Pray daily. Obey daily. Seek God, not His gifts.
Be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Be willing to change, to listen & learn.
What do we have IN CHRIST? Ephesians 1:3
- Adoption, justification, sealing. Ephesians 1:4-13
- New full life. 2 Corinthians 5:17, John 10:10
- The Holy Spirit. Romans 8:9
- Intimacy with the Father. 1 John 1:3-7
- Praying in God’s will. John 15:7
- Dying & Rising with Christ. Philippians 3:10
- Sharing in His sufferings:
- Shame Acts 5:41
- Silence Isaiah 53:7
- Sacrifice Romans 12:1
- Solitude Matthew 26:56 Jesus very close.
- Resurrection Power Internal vindication. 1 Timothy 3:16
- Deliverance from trial. Hebrews 12:2
- Helping those who leave You. John 20:19
With Him in us, we should be like Him in life: In attitude (Philippians 2:5), Accept others (Matthew 8:1-8, John 8:1-8)
Imputed righteousness: Christ’s Righteousness is ours. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Imparted righteousness.
Christ formed in us in our behaviour.