There are many things in my life that encourage me, but nothing more than the FACT that as a Christian, I am IN Christ! “In Christ” can mean many different things to different people, even the bible has a lot to say about being “in Christ” Here are a few!!!
1. We Live “In Christ”
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
2. We rejoice “in Christ”
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” Philippians 4:4
3. We find encouragement “in Christ”
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” Philippians 2:1-2
4. We are strong “in Christ”
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” Ephesians 6:10
5. We find confidence “in Christ”
“And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the wordwithout fear.” Philippians 1:14
6. We have Freedom “in Christ”!
“Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.” Galatians 2:4-5
7. We have peace “in Christ”
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
8. We are wise “in Christ”
“We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.” 1 Corinthians 4:10
9. We are victory “in Christ”
“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.” 2 Corinthians 2:14
10. We are blessed “in Christ”
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,” Ephesians 1:3
As I approach my launch date each and every one of these seem to be magnified more and more! To be honest I’m getting a little freaked out by the fact that ill be leaving the only country I’ve ever known soon! That I’ll be leaving the relative security of my life and stepping into the great unknown of the life of a missionary! All my friends and family will be 1000’s of miles away! But I like many of you reading this Blog I can rest assured because we are “IN CHRIST”!!! I am Strong “in Christ” even when I don’t feel strong! I am wise “in Christ” when I’m trying to raise funds for my mission even when I feel like I am in way over my head! And when I finally step foot on each of the 11 country’s I’m headed to, I will have confidence “in Christ” to speak boldly on His behalf!!!
I echo Paul’s prayer from Ephesians 3:14-20 where he prays this
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
