Because we have surrendered our lives to Jesus, you and I are “in Christ Jesus.” What exactly does that mean in the here and now?
1 Corinthians 15:22 (NASB) For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ (Jesus) all will be made alive.
A funny thing happened at church the other day that got me to thinking about being “in Christ Jesus“. We were walking to the car after the service when a lady I had not seen for quit a while passed us on the sidewalk. I greeted her and asked how her son the musician was doing. We talked a few seconds and then I said to her, “you remember my wife, Debbie”. She laughed and said “I thought you were with another woman!!!” For you see, when she met Debbie years ago, Deb was a blonde and on that day recently Deb was a red head. We all laughed and went joyfully on our way. Debbie and I have been married almost 31 years now. Through the years, Debbie has had many different hair styles including her being a blonde, brunette and most recently a red head. Even though she has had many different hair styles, she is still Debbie. Likewise, you and I go through a lot of changes in life with a variety of situations being experienced that we consider both good and bad. However, no matter what we go through in life, we still remain in Christ Jesus our Lord. We are always a dearly loved child of God. The changes we experience in life does not change the Covenant we have with Him. The Lord has paid a huge price for you and I. He has adopted you and I. You and I are in His care and have a very large inheritance that will not be taken away. His favor surrounds us. We have been made royalty in Christ Jesus.
John 14:20 (NIV) (Jesus says) “On that day you will realize that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you.”
My favorite verse which talks about being in Christ Jesus is John 14:20. This verse paints a clear picture that we are in Jesus plus His Holy Spirit is in us and our Heavenly Father has His loving arms around all. This is the Word that Jesus spoke to us about being in Him. When Jesus came into our lives, we became immersed in God. This is the only way we can live a good, abundant and satisfying life. Notice that in John 14:20 that the Spirit of Jesus or the Holy Spirit is in us. The Word also says we are one with the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:17 (NIV) But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in Spirit.
I hope you are feeling this passage. I hope you are feeling the power of this Truth that the Lord of Love has you and does not want to let go. The Lord is in us, on us and around us. Jesus says in this verse that “you are in Me.” Let’s dive into this very powerful Truth as who you believe you are in Jesus will define your level of faith of how God will work in, through and around your life.
John 15:3-5, 7-9 (NIV) “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing… If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples. As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love.”
The first thing that Jesus says that we are in Him is “clean.”
I John 1:9 (NAS) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Ephesians 1:7 (NIV) In Him we have redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace…
In Christ Jesus, we have forgiveness of every sin. Everything begins here and continues here. Forgiveness of sins is the key ingredient of the Gospel. By Jesus’ death on the Cross and His pouring out of His Blood for you and I; our past, present and future sins have been washed away, forgiven and removed forever.
This Truth is foundational to the path we will walk the rest of our lives.
Matthew 26:28 (NIV) “This is My Blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”When our sins were forgiven, they were also removed from our lives now and forever.In Christ Jesus, we are forever forgiven.
Psalm 103:12 (NAS) As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Hebrews 8:12 (NIV) “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
Since you are in Christ Jesus, if you have any other thoughts come into your mind that brings you shame, guilt, a feeling of worthlessness or condemnation because of your past or present; then beware as those are not the thoughts of God.
Hebrews 9:14 (NIV) How much more, then, will the Blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
Hebrews 10:22 (NIV)…let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Romans 8:1 (AMP) Therefore, (there is) now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live (and) walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.
In Christ Jesus, you and I are completely forgiven of our past, present and future sins. They are forever removed from us. Plus, there is no guilt, condemnation or judgment remaining in or upon our lives from those sins. Since we are in Christ Jesus, God sees the pure Blood of Jesus over our lives and nothing else.
All of God’s Love to you,
Gary and Debbie Landon
