Who Are We In Christ?

WHO ARE WE IN CHRIST?

READING

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

INTRODUCTION

If we want to communicate the Gospel to anyone, they will want to see how this Gospel, which we say is so important, impacts our daily lives. How can we explain it? Do we know what changes God has made in us?

Today's verse is a very good starting point for each one of us.

1. “IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST”

First the ‘If.’ The new life and relationship with Jesus are not guaranteed to everyone. It depends on one thing and one thing only, being ‘in Christ.’

What then does ‘In Christ’ mean? It is a state of a relationship we need to be in for the changes written in this verse to take place. The question is how do we attain that state of being ‘in Christ’?

1 John 5:1 tells us that, “everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God,”

‘Believe’ (pisteuo) means we must put our faith in a person to whom we entrust our spiritual life, our eternal life - Jesus Christ.

This shows the level of commitment required from us and demonstrates that we are born of God. A full unrestrained commitment that Jesus is the Messiah, Son of God and Son of Man.

John 3:3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

When we have that level of faith, we are born again. This word ‘again’ really means ‘from on high’ (anothen). Only God can do this; it is completely out of our hands. Our eternity – Heaven - is completely dependent on being born again. All this from God alone nothing in our power.

Now, the enemy can only look at you and see to whom you belong. So long as we keep sin out of our lives, he can never cause us harm, we wear God’s colours as they did in days gone by.

Ephesians 1:13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.

The enemy can try (Eph 6:13-18) but we have the full armour of God to defeat him.

Ephesians 6:13-18 Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

2. “HE IS A NEW CREATION”

Part of our rebirth is our spirit being renewed by the Holy Spirit. We have been changed to have a direct connection to the eternal since the Holy Spirit is within us. See the words in Titus.

Titus 3:5b He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

Part of that renewal is focused on changing our minds, which is the battleground for the enemy. In this, we have a responsibility to reject the model that this world gives us, i.e. this society.

Paul covers this in Romans:

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God.

We must also not allow this world to control our minds, or set our morality, but have our minds transformed by the Holy Spirit’s renewal so that we will know God’s will – yes, we will know His will. Not only that, we will have proof, knowledge and understanding of God’s purpose. Does that not astound you?

Be aware, though, that this transformation is not a ‘one-off.’ We are being changed not were changed. This is a day-by-day process and we need to stay close to the Lord.

These changes are not just in the mental or spiritual areas.

Long ago Ezikiel spoke of a change in the emotions of those whom God would renew.

Ezekiel 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.