“In Christ”

In our last installment, we examined the main significance of the words in Christ (Eph. 1:1) as being the object of saving faith. But what does this mean in practice? Is this just some mystical concept that has no practical purpose? Ponder four practical applications.

First, being in Christ means we are not self-sufficient but dependent upon Him. As in the analogy of the Vine and branches (Jn. 15:1-5), we are absolutely dependent upon Christ as the branches are dependant upon the Vine. We are totally helpless in ourselves. We are totally dependant upon God. He empowers us to do all things in Christ.

In our day, man is the measure of all things. We see it everywhere. Man is self-sufficient, self-directed, self-motivated, and self-centered. We constantly hear about man’s “self-esteem” and “self-worth.” But God says something a little different: “And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God” (II Cor. 3:4-5). Paul declares that he is nothing in himself, that he is insufficient for anything, whether it be ministry or personal living. He says that his “sufficiency” is God alone. The Greek for “sufficiency” (hikanos) speaks of something being adequate, or large enough. It’s used in Matthew 3:11, where John the Baptist declares, “He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear.” How we need this kind of humility and dependency in our day instead of the self-elevating philosophies that have captured the Church.

Here in Ephesians, Paul later writes: “My brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might” (6:10). To the Philippians he writes that well-known promise, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Isaiah the prophet likewise challenged God’s people: “They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (40:31).

What a challenge these verses are! May we stop trying to be sufficient in ourselves. Strength awaits us in Christ alone. Instead of self-sufficiency, may we have a Christ-sufficiency; instead of self-direction, Christ-direction; instead of self-motivation, Christ-motivation; instead of self-centeredness, Christ-centeredness; instead of high self-esteem, high Christ-esteem. To be in Christ means that only He is sufficient.

Second, being in Christ means that our assurance is in Him. A hallmark of cults and other false teaching is the total rejection of security. True Biblical Christianity is the only faith that teaches assurance of salvation beyond any doubt or question. Every other religious system teaches an uncertainty about eternal destiny. Only Biblical Christianity teaches that salvation has nothing to do with us, nothing to do with our works, but lies in Christ alone and what He finished on the cross.

Third, being in Christ means that our satisfaction is in Him. As Paul told the Philippians, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:11-13). To be in Christ means that He will meet our needs and that we are satisfied and content with that which He gives.

Fourth, being in Christ means that our authority is in Him alone. Because He is everything to us, His authority controls us, and it is through His Word, the Bible, that He accomplishes that. It is upon His Word alone that we stand.