A Consideration of What it Means to be "In Christ"

"In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory." -- Ephesians 1:11, 12

Note that this is the second time in the first twelve verses of Ephesians that Paul sounds the chord of Divine Election and again it launches him into celebration. Evidently, he found this doctrine to be immensely comforting as should we. But the real comfort comes, I think, when we begin to grasp just what it means to be found "in Him" [in Christ].

To be begin with, Paul is very clear that the root of this miracle is the wonder of becoming "in Christ" as he states in v. 13, "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation." Just in this passage of Scripture alone, Paul uses this phrase or its theological equivalent nine times. And Paul uses the term "in Christ" or "in Christ Jesus" in his letters at least 169 times. This term was never found prior to Paul and is rarely seen outside of his writings in the New Testament, so clearly this concept is central to Paul's theology and one of his great gifts to the Church. But what does it mean?

Kent Hughes states that first and foremost, "it indicates a radical transformation." Paul develops this in 1 Cor. 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" He is radically, fundamentally new. Not only that, but "the new has come!" and, as the Greek perfect tense stresses, will continue to remain. Being "in Christ" is nothing less than being made alive. In fact, Paul elaborates "... so in Christ all will be made alive" [1 Cor. 15:22]. This is nothing short of total spiritual change.

Being in Christ also brings a radical reorientation -- a movement from external righteousness to inward righteousness which thus radicalizes our conduct. As a result, though the world hates, those in Christ forgive; while the world lusts for more, those in Christ are content.

From my perspective, "in Christ" far outstrips the term "Christian" in describing Christianity or those who follow Christ. Aside from the fact that "Christian" is used only three times in the New Testament [Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; and 1 Peter 4:16] that title has become somewhat amorphous over the years as it can be associated with a specific cultural affinity, or the "western tradition" or even be on one side of a barbed wire fence killing those on the other side. But "in Christ" invites no such abuse, because it demands reflection on a dynamic living relationship. No wonder Paul loved it! "For to me, to live is Christ," said Paul in Philippians 1:21.

Secondly, Hughes continues by claiming that being in Christ brings "a dynamic unity of cosmic dimensions." The heart of this unity is that we become members of the Body of Christ. Spiritually there is an organic relationship with Him. We are literally seated in the "heavenly realms" with him [Eph. 2:6] -- we are there because we are in Him. Through this union we also enter into a profound oneness with other believers. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" [Gal. 3:28]. And it was this dynamic unity that so astounded the ancient world. And it is this very "in Christ" that conquers the world. Sadly, there is much in professing Christianity which seems to deny this dynamic unity which Christ brings. In the United States alone, there are more than 30 different Baptist denominations and more than 20 different Methodist denominations -- not to mention the tens of thousands of independent Baptist churches. Nevertheless, the fact remains that those truly "in Christ" can experience a friendship which surpasses all others in its depth of understanding, commitment and comfort. And this should be the norm for the Church as Jesus prayed in His High Priestly prayer on the eve of his death: "Holy Father, protect the by them power of Your Name -- the Name You gave Me -- so that they may be one as We are One" [John 17:11].

Lastly, our being "in Christ" should bring the deepest satisfaction if for no other reason than it is not possible to find fulfillment outside of Christ. As Jesus Himself declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." [John 6:35].

Could there be a more enticing menu? Transformation, union, satisfaction! This fare meets every need. Be still my soul and know that He is God and know who I am "in Him." Stop settling for second or third best. Stop walking so far below my calling. The days are growing short.