“IN CHRIST”

When you see these words, what does it mean to you? There are 160 identity “in Christ” verses in the Bible. From the Book of Romans through Philemon it is identified in the New King James Version 83 times, in the King James Version it is mentioned 81 times and in the Book of Philemon it is mentioned in one chapter 3 times. In the Book of Ephesians, “in Christ” is mentioned at least 27 times. For God to mention this so many times, it must be very important.

I believe that God is showing us that there has to be a special relationship, a vital union through faith between Jesus Christ and you. In order for this to take place, Jesus in His own words tells us in John 3:3 – 8, you must be born again. When this takes place you enter into the spiritual realm. A new birth into the spiritual realm is an act of God. Without this new birth, you remain in the physical realm. You have to understand that God is Spirit. That is why when Jesus was taken into Heaven, He gave us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit communicates with humans in the spiritual realm. A human being is made up of a body, soul, and spirit.

When you live in the physical realm, self and pride rule your body and soul. You need to realize that the flesh is a destroyer. It is all temporary. As long as you continue to listen and follow your fleshly desires, you will continue to serve them. Satan controls the physical realm for now. He lies and convinces people that it is Ok to live this way.

If you study God’s Word you will know that dying to self is vital to living the Christian life. It is the reality of the new birth in the spiritual realm. No one can come to Jesus Christ unless they are willing to crucify the old life and begin to live “in Christ.” You must come to a determination not to live for oneself and live “in Christ.” It means that you need to have a mental check and be truthful with where your life is headed.

Satan receives his authority from those who are not under the blood of Jesus Christ. Satan works his power through people that give into his temptations and desires. Just look at the condition of our world today. When a person has not or does not put themselves “in Christ,” they are putting themselves in the devil’s hand.

I believe from my own personal experiences that God through Jesus Christ has given me authority over Satan and his demons, evil spirits and his followers. I will admit that I don’t use it as much as I should. One of my experiences is in an article that I wrote titled Faith vs. Cancer. You may be able to access with your browser.

According to Jesus in the Gospel of Mark 11:12 – 26 He said that what so ever you desire when you pray, “believe,” or in other words have faith in the promises of what God. Also in the Gospel of Mark 10:18 KJV it says; Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. The aforementioned verses are just two of the many promises that God has given to those who receive His Son, Jesus Christ as their Savior. You must be born again and enter into the spiritual realm. This where your spirit comes together with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit becomes an intercessor and presents your prayers to God. This is one of the steps to having prayers answered. Have you prayed and it seems that there is no answer to your prayer. You need to understand that God is in the spiritual realm. When you are “in Christ,” God has given you all that He has given Jesus. To some this may be hard to understand. God has given you the freedom to choose your destiny and the benefits that go with your choice.

Look closely at Ephesians 2: 8 KJV where it says for by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God. Vs 9, Not of works, lest any man should boast. God provides the grace and you must put action in faith. Many separate these two words. Beginning in Genesis through Revelation God is looking for those that have faith in Him, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit and God’s Holy Word. Hebrews 11:1 says that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Faith requires action on our part. Could this be the reason so many prayers don’t see an answer.

There is so much more to this subject. I recommend that you read and study God’s Word so that you can come to know the truth and the truth will set you free. In our world today many terrible things are taking place and God is getting a lot of the blame. In defense of God and He doesn’t need it, God is a god who loves us so much that He gave His Son to die for our sins. I ask all those who blame God, would you sacrifice your son for other people’s sins and express your unconditional love? Love of God and others seems to be something we talk about but there is little action. Our faith in God requires action on our part. Maybe then we will come to be “in Christ.” Love to all.