Our Anchor and Engine
The expressions “In Christ,” “In the Lord,” “In the One,” and “In Him” occur 164 times in just the books of the Bible which the Apostle Paul wrote1. Understanding them is important to understanding not only the New Testament, but the nature and essence of salvation itself.
To be “In Christ” means that you have been spiritually united or joined to the Son of God. Like an arm is joined to the body, or a branch is united to a tree, you share in a vital, personal union with Jesus Christ through His indwelling Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 1:30 describes this union as God embedding or implanting us into Jesus. It reads, “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption”
Consider a seed planted into fertile soil. The seed is in the soil. As the seed sheds its outer coating, the soil is in the seed. The moisture, warmth, and nutrients needed to germinate, sprout, and grow come through the soil. The seed draws life and energy from the substance into which it is planted or united.
Imagine a dolphin gliding through the vast, endless ocean. The sea provides everything the dolphin needs to thrive. The ocean is not just the dolphin’s environment but its very life. And just as the dolphin is a part of the ocean, the ocean is in the dolphin. Together, they are one, inseparable and unified.
The same truth that applies to the seed and the dolphin is true of our spiritual union with Christ.
In John 14:20, Jesus stated: “When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”
And in Ephesians 1:3, Paul states, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ” (New Living Translation).
Let those two scriptures sink in for just a moment.
Whether you feel the wonder of it or not, you have been brought into an invisible—yet very real—spiritual union with Jesus Christ, the One who is described as the “radiance of God's glory” (Heb. 1:3).
Consider the implications.
Your old, sin-addicted nature was joined to Jesus in his death and burial—it was co-crucified with Christ. You died to sin's controlling power. Through Jesus' death, you are free to say “no” to fear, lust, greed, and pride (Rom. 6:6; Gal. 2:20, Col. 3:3).
But that’s not all.
Your new, true self has been raised with Christ! His blameless, righteous, holy, indestructible life is now your life. God has somehow implanted the spiritual DNA of Christ in you! Jesus' divine love, hope, goodness, courage, faith, and wisdom (just to mention a few of his attributes) are available to draw upon 24/7. Through union with Christ, you have become an ongoing participant—a stock holder—in God's divine nature (Col. 1:12-13; 2 Pet. 1:4).
But that's not all.
You have been united with Christ in his ascension. You are spiritually seated with Jesus at the Father’s right side where he reigns with all authority in heaven and earth (Eph. 2:4-6; Mt. 28:18). You can bring Christ's loving, wise, and powerful rulership to bear in your responsibilities and relationships here on earth (Lk. 10:19).
But that’s not all.
When Jesus returns in the brightness of his glory, you will be with him by his side, sharing in all of it (Col. 3:4; Col 1:27; 1 Jn. 3:2). Your future is indescribably bright (Rom. 8:18).
The implications of your union with Christ are profound, comprehensive, and practical. No matter what comes your way, there's hope. You are no longer left to our own resources to face life's storms and challenges (see Hebrews 6:19 and Philippians 4:13).
As Rankin Wilbourne writes, “When you fail or are afraid, you have an anchor—you are in Christ! When you are tired, or the road looks long, you have an engine—Christ is in you!”
A prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for not only forgiving my sins through Jesus’ death and resurrection, but for also making me alive spiritually and uniting me to Christ. Help me to progressively discover, understand, and live out of this union more and more. Give me living understanding of this holy mystery and teach me how to practically apply the reality of it to my everyday responsibilities, relationships, pressures, and challenges.
