WHEN YOU ARE IN CHRIST!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY MAY 10, 2024.

SUBJECT : WHEN YOU ARE IN CHRIST!

Memory verse: "Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new (Second Corinthians 5 vs 17.)

READ: Romans 8 vs 1 - 2; Second Corinthians 5 vs 21: 

Romans 8:1: There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

8:2: 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

Second Corinthians 5:21: For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

INTIMATION: 

“In Christ” means the covenant relationship that one establishes with Christ at the time of immersion into Christ by baptism. When one is baptized into Christ, he or she comes into this relationship with Christ. In Christ one does not consider things according to the flesh, but according to the spiritual nature of those who are in such covenant relationship with Christ. Since Christians have become new creatures in Christ, they consider all things from a new perspective.

One is new in Christ, not only because he has been cleansed of sins, but also because of his or her perspective of life after obedience to the gospel. When one is immersed into Christ he becomes a new creation, having been washed of all sins. However, though one is washed of sin, he or she still must bring his or her life into conformity with conduct that is directed by the Word of God. As a new creation one must maintain the commitment to follow after the example of Jesus life and teachings. 

Christianity is the life of God imparted to man, plus the wealth of the riches of God's nature also imparted to man, and the Spirit's unveiling of the wealth of God that was revealed in Christ. This truth was a faith-provoking, and a love-stimulating thing; realizing what Christ has done for us in His redemptive work. Honestly, for a genuine believer, It revolutionizes the intellect, and thrills the spirit. It lifts a man out of the natural to the supernatural. 

When the mind of a Christian is renewed on the strength of the covenant rights in relationship with Christ, he or she can take his or her place as a child of God. He can enjoy a child's rights and privileges. He can assume a child's responsibility and step into the riches of the grace of God. That comes when a believer loses his sin consciousness, his sense of inferiority, noting that when you confess Christ and believe in your heart His redemptive work for you, you are a new creation, old things are passed away, and all things have become new. Your old self has been crucified with Christ, and your new self has risen up with Him in the new creation.

The sin consciousness is never lost in you until you know about righteousness. It does not only mean doing right deeds, righteousness means the ability to stand in the Father's presence without a sense of guilt, inferiority, or sin, just as free in the Father's presence as was Jesus. In the new creation we have righteousness reckoned for us; for our sake He made His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, virtually to be in sin who never knew any sin, so that in, and through Him we might become endued with the righteousness of God.

In the redemptive work of Christ, all sins; past, present, and future have been forgiven you provided you have fellowship in Christ. Why is it so? When we trust in Christ, and accept the redemption He wrought for us, we make an exchange—our sin for His righteousness. Our sin was poured into Christ at His crucifixion. His righteousness is poured into us at our conversion. In Christianity that is what is meant by Christ's atonement for sin. 

We not only have righteousness reckoned to us, but also imputed and imparted to us in the new creation. The new man is created according to God, in righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4 vs 24). That thrills the heart. The very fact of a new creation demands a perfect righteousness which is given in Christ. In the new creation, we have now a perfect relationship—God is our very Father, we are His sons and daughters, able to stand in His presence without any sense of guilt or sin consciousness because of His righteousness imputed and imparted to us. Hallelujah!

Prayer: Abba Father, what a great and loving Father we have in You; ever merciful, and with unfailing compassion. When I meditate on Your loving kindness toward me, and remember what You wrought for me in redemption, I feel great chill run through my spines. O Lord, endue me with the spirit of complete obedience, gratefulness, and faithfulness to You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!