What if You Dont Know Who You Are in Christ

I believe that nothing is more than foundational to the Christian life than for the laic to understand his or her position in Christ Jesus.

Our position in Christ is our legal standing with God: Are we guilty or not guilty? Debtors or costless? His enemies or His friends? Understanding these things makes a deviation in how we live 24-hour interval in and day out.

In His goodness and by His grace, God changes our standing — our position — before Him when we place our trust in Christ for the forgiveness of our sins. Ephesians 2:7 affirms that our new status flows out of that wonderful phrase "the riches of God's grace."

This study will explore the riches of God'south grace in regard to the laic's position in Christ.

Here'southward where this article is headed:

Defining Grace

What Our Position in Christ Means (and What It Doesn't Mean)

How to Establish These Truths in Our Hearts

The Riches of God's Grace for the Believer

Next Steps: Learn About More Cadre Christian Beliefs

Defining Grace

How practise nosotros ascertain grace? A mutual definition is "God's riches at Christ's expense." Another style to describe grace is "the unmerited favor and kindness of God." And oh how He has acted out of his kindness for the good of the believer! At that place was justice due for the penalisation of our sin, but God paid that debt through the sacrificial death of His Son. Ephesians 1:iii says nosotros were (past tense – when we first believed in Jesus) blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ in accord with His pleasure and will – to the praise of His glorious grace!

The riches of God's grace give us a new position in Christ, and this makes all the difference in living with purpose and satisfaction. Nigh of the apostle Paul's letters in the New Attestation draw a abrupt stardom betwixt what God has done for us by grace and how we are to live in view of this fact. The Volume of Ephesians, for instance, first makes us "sit and learn" of our position in Christ and then, in view of this position, encourages us to live a life consistent with it.

In other words, the Christian life is becoming (in feel) who you already are (as God sees you). This divine lodge is conspicuously seen in the books of Ephesians, Colossians and Romans among others. As a study of your own, read the book of Ephesians and write down all that God has done for you and that which you are called to practise yourself. You should meet a sharp stardom betwixt the start three chapters and the last three (with the connection between the two at 4:one). Commenting on Ephesians, Watchman Nee says:

Most Christians make the mistake of trying to walk in order to be able to sit, but that is a reversal of the true order. Our natural reason says, If we do not walk, how can nosotros e'er reach the goal? What can nosotros attain without effort? How tin nosotros get anywhere if we practise not motility? But Christianity is a queer business! If at the outset we try to do anything, nosotros miss everything. For Christianity begins not with a big DO, but with a big Washed. Thus Ephesians opens with the statement that God has "blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" and we are invited at the beginning to sit downward and enjoy what God has done for us; non to ready out to try and reach it for ourselves.¹

Then we want to build on that which is Washed and, through religion, be enabled to remainder in the finished piece of work of Christ (meaning what Jesus achieved past His death and resurrection) and our position in Him.

What Our Position in Christ Means (and What It Doesn't Mean)

The framework for the following has been loosely taken from "Salvation" by Lewis Sperry Chafer. Before looking at that which God has washed for the laic in Christ, here is a summary of the five points Chafer raises^two:

Our position in Christ is a result of our new life in Christ from which precious experiences may grow. For example, justification – meaning all of our past sins beingness covered – leads to joy and peace.
The Christian position is as perfect and complete the instant it is possessed every bit it always will exist in the ages to come.
This position has nothing to practice with what we have accomplished or earned. Information technology is based solely on the merit of the Christ. The Christian is "accepted (now and forever) in the beloved."
This position does not always change. Our sensation and feelings about our position may vary 24-hour interval to day, but the constant fact that nosotros are a new creation in Christ remains.
Our position can only exist known through God revealing it to united states. Its reality can exist grasped only by believing the Word of God. These eternal riches of grace are for anyone who will believe.

How to Found These Truths in Our Hearts

Now, we will explore the riches of God. But before you start racing through the list, recall! Yes, think about His riches. Meditate on them and what they mean for you. You see, I've read lists similar this before, and I know the temptation to race through them. But I believe that these are truths that God wants to firmly found within our hearts, for they glorify His graphic symbol and show the extent of His work on the Cross for us. In his book "Sit, Walk, Stand," Watchman Nee says:

Our Christian life begins with the discovery of what God has provided. From this indicate onwards Christian experience proceeds as it began, not on the basis of our ain work simply e'er on that of the finished work of another.^three

Every new spiritual feel begins with acceptance by faith of what God has washed. As you read each point, remember what yous have just read: These truths are eternal and are as truthful of you today every bit they ever will be. They do not abound or increase but are free gifts of God'due south amazing grace.

God has hidden these truths from the proud and self-confident. But for those who truly meet their need of God, the gifts of grace become their greatest delight!

You enter into new experiences of God's beloved as you take past religion that which God has done in Christ.

The Riches of God's Grace for the Believer

The following things are true of anybody who has placed his or her faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. They are God's gifts to all through the riches of His grace in Christ Jesus. (The Bible verses are taken from the English Standard Version.)

In the Eternal Plan of God

Before the world had fifty-fifty been created, God knew and chose those who would be His children through faith, and in the class of time, He called them to Himself. Do we fully understand it? No way! Not until He explains information technology all in heaven. Do we however believe it? Yes, both through the Word of God and the experience of God's call upon our lives. Believers are:

Foreknown: Romans viii:29 — "For those whom He foreknew He too predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers." (Too see one Peter 1:2.)
Elected: i Thessalonians 1:4 — "For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen y'all." (As well meet Romans viii:33; Colossians iii:12; Titus 1:1.)
Predestined: Ephesians one:11 — "In Him nosotros have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will"
Chosen: 1 Peter two:9 — "Simply you are a chosen race, a purple priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession ..." (As well encounter Matthew 22:14.)
Called: Romans 9:11 — "... though they were not yet born and had done zilch either adept or bad — in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of Him who calls." (Likewise run across 1 Thessalonians five:24.)

Brought Near to God

The Bible says the blood of Christ brings united states near to God. In the apostle Paul'south writings, everything the blood of Christ accomplishes is also accomplished by the death and the cross of Christ. They are interchangeable ideas. If nosotros are declared righteous by the blood, we're declared righteous by His death. Information technology isn't the physical makeup of the blood that accomplishes something, information technology is the sacrificial giving of life that allows us to come about.

Reconciled by God: two Corinthians 5:18 — "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave united states of america the ministry of reconciliation." (Also see Colossians 1:20.)
Reconciled to God: Romans five:10 — "For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the expiry of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we exist saved by His life." (Also see ii Corinthians 5:20.)
Redeemed: Colossians one:14 — "... in whom we take redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Also see i Peter ane:18; Romans 3:24.)
Brought Near: Ephesians ii:xiii — "In Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ."
Given Access: Ephesians ii:eighteen — "For through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Begetter." (Besides see Ephesians 3:12; Romans 5:2; Hebrews four:14-16; 10:19- 20.)

Children of God

Tin can someone who is born become unborn? Can a son or girl in a family somehow end being a son or girl? No! If you accept been built-in into a family then yous may change your proper noun, only y'all cannot change your Dna. You are forever a son or daughter of your father. The same applies to our spiritual nascency! The believer is a son or daughter of God.

Born Again: i Peter 1:23 — ". . . since you have been built-in again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding Discussion of God." (Too see John 1:12; 3:vii.)
Children of God: 1 John three:2 — "Dear, we are God's children now, and what we volition be has not yet appeared; but nosotros know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because nosotros shall see Him every bit he is." (Also see 2 Corinthians half-dozen:xviii; Galatians 3:26.)
New Creations: 2 Corinthians v:17 — "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The one-time has passed away; behold, the new has come." (Also run across Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 2:10.)
Adopted: Romans 8:15 — "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to autumn back into fear, but you lot have received the Spirit of adoption every bit sons, past whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Also see Galatians four:v.)
Heirs: Galatians four:7 — "Then yous are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."

Totally Adequate to God Through Jesus Christ

Do you take to exist perfect to get to heaven? Most say no considering no one is perfect. Yet could a perfectly holy God allow annihilation less than perfection into His presence? No! And so therefore, yes, you do take to be perfect. But how could this ever be achieved by an imperfect, sinful creation? In Christ, righteousness and perfection are a gift! His annunciation is that believers are forever justified – a position that means we are declared righteous. He completely covers our past.

Justified: Romans 5:1 — "Therefore, since we accept been justified past faith, we take peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Likewise see Romans 3:24; 8:xxx; one Corinthians 6:11; Titus 3:7.)
Righteous: Philippians 3:8-ix — "... in club that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, non having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith." (Also see Romans three:22; v:17; 10:iii-iv; 1 Corinthians 1:xxx; 2 Corinthians 5:21.)
Sanctified: i Corinthians 1:30 — "And considering of Him yous are in Christ Jesus, who became to us … sanctification and redemption ..." (Also see ane Corinthians 6:xi; Hebrews 10:10.)
Made Perfect: Hebrews 10:xiv — "For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified." (Too run across Hebrews ten:1-2 for the results of beingness made perfect.)
Accustomed: Ephesians 1:5-vi — "... he predestined united states for adoption to Himself equally sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Dear." (Also come across 1 Peter 2:five.)
Forgiven: Colossians 2:thirteen — "And yous, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven united states all our trespasses." (Also meet Colossians one:14; 3:13; Ephesians 1:seven; 4:32.)
Complete: Colossians two:10 — "You have been filled in Him, who is the head of all rule and authority."

Forever United and Joined with Christ

Believers take been placed "in Christ" so that any has happened to Christ has besides happened to them. When Jesus died and rose once more, so did we spiritually, and never again will God see a laic equally annihilation other than a new creation in Christ Jesus. Nosotros are forever united and joined to Christ, and His history is our history!

Crucified: Romans 6:6 — "We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer exist enslaved to sin." (Also see Galatians 2:20.)
Dead: Romans 6:eight — "Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him." (Also Colossians 3:iii.)
Buried: Romans half dozen:4 — "We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in gild that, merely equally Christ was raised from the dead past the celebrity of the Father, we likewise might walk in newness of life." (Also see Colossians 2:12.)
Raised: Colossians 3:1 — "If so y'all have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right paw of God." (Likewise see Romans 6:4.)
Ascended: Ephesians 2:half-dozen — "... and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

Jesus' Very Own Possession

In a parable nearly the kingdom of God, Jesus likened Himself to a human being who found a treasure in a field (Matthew 13:44). And because of His immense joy, He sold all that He had so that He could purchase that field. The treasure in the field stands for those in the world who believe in His name. For them, He was willing to surrender all that He had (His life), and for the joy gear up before Him, He endured the cross (Hebrews 12).

His Gift: John vi:37 — "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will never cast out.'' (Likewise encounter John 10:29; 17:6,11,12,twenty)
His Helpmate: 2 Corinthians eleven:2 — "For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed yous to one married man, to nowadays you as a pure virgin to Christ." (Besides encounter Ephesians v:25-32; Revelation xix:7; John iii:29.)
His Inheritance: Ephesians ane:eighteen — "... that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you lot, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints."
His Possession: Ephesians 1:14 — "... who is the guarantee of our inheritance until nosotros acquire possession of it, to the praise of His celebrity."

Blessed With the Holy Spirit

Believers are as well given the Holy Spirit, not only as a means of living the Christian life in this age but also as a guarantee that, as God's possessions, nosotros will participate in the glory of the age to come! There is no true Christian alive who has not been given the Holy Spirit.

Born of the Spirit: John three:half-dozen — "That which is born of the mankind is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
Baptized: 1 Corinthians 12:13 — "For in one Spirit we were all baptized into ane trunk — Jews or Greeks, slaves or free — and all were made to potable of one Spirit."
Indwelt: one Corinthians 6:19 — "Do you non know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you lot, whom you have from God?" (Also see 1 Corinthians 2:12; John 7:39; Romans 5:5; 8:9; 2 Corinthians 1:21; Galatians 4:vi.)
Sealed: Ephesians one:13-xiv — "In Him you likewise, when yous heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we learn possession of it, to the praise of his glory."

Within the "How Much More than" Care of God (Romans 5:x)

Retrieve of it – when nosotros were sinners and enemies of God, He fully justified u.s. from every charge considering of our faith in His precious Son, Jesus. How much more now, as His treasured possession, will believers notice themselves the objects of His care!

Objects of His Love: Ephesians 2:iv — "Merely God, being rich in mercy, because of the great beloved with which He loved us ..." (Also encounter Ephesians five:2; 1 John iii:1.)
Objects of His Grace: Romans 5:2 — "Through Him we accept also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Also see Ephesians 2:seven-eight; Titus 2:12-13.)
Objects of His Power: Ephesians 1:18-19 — "... that yous may know ... what is the immeasurable greatness of His ability toward u.s. who believe." (Also meet Philippians 2:13; one Peter 1:5.)
Objects of His Faithfulness: Hebrews 13:v — "I volition never get out you nor forsake you." (Also run into Philippians ane:half-dozen; ane Corinthians i:viii-9; Jude 24.)
Objects of His Peace: Philippians four:9 — "The God of peace will be with you." (Likewise see Philippians 4:vii.)
Objects of His Encouragement: 2 Thessalonians 2:16 — "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, who loved the states and gave u.s.a. eternal condolement and good promise through grace ..." (Also encounter Romans 15:4-5.)
Objects of His Intercession: Hebrews 7:25 — "Consequently, He is able to relieve to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." (As well see Romans 8:34; Hebrews 9:24.)

A Heavenly Home Assured

Last, just most importantly of all, He has given us citizenship in heaven – where we volition exist fellow heirs with the King of kings! We live as strangers and exiles on this globe, far from our true home to come. We are ambassadors of God in a country not our ain. Merely our heavenly home is assured, and our inheritance is waiting, kept safe past God himself!

Heavenly Citizens: Philippians 3:20 — "Our citizenship is in heaven." (Also see Ephesians two:19; Hebrews 12:22.)
Members of God'south Household: Ephesians 2:19 — "You are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God." (Likewise come across 3:15; Galatians 6:10.)
Accept a Heavenly Inheritance: i Peter 1:iv-five — "... an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who past God's power are being guarded through faith for a conservancy ready to be revealed in the concluding fourth dimension." (Also see Ephesians 1:14; Colossians iii:24; Hebrews 9:15.)

Ane last thought: From the simplicity of a blossom to the complexity of space, the more than humankind explores the work of God, the more nosotros stand up in awe of His perfection. With such a creative and all-powerful God, do you lot think He would consummate annihilation less than perfection in the important work of our salvation?

The riches of God'south grace are incredible! Merely as Chafer says, it's just the kickoff! One day, when Christ comes again, the process shall be complete and we shall be inverse into His likeness. And then, for the ages that are to come, His bride shall be a visible witness to the incredible kindness and grace of God (Ephesians two:7). Permit me end with a quote from Jonathan Edwards that reflects what our reality will one solar day be: "Grace is just glory begun, and glory is but grace perfected."

Next Steps

Learn more virtually core Christian beliefs such as the Holy Spirit, heaven and the Trinity.

Notes:

Watchman Nee, "Sit, Walk, Stand" (Ballad Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 1977), p. ii.
Lewis Sperry Chafer, "Salvation" (Findlay, OH: Durham Publishing Visitor, 1917), pp. 57-59.
Nee, "Sit down, Walk, Stand," p.5.

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