"For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him. . ." Numbers 23:9

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THE MOUNTAIN MESSENGER

February 2005
Volume 2..........................Number 2
Crum, West Virginia

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"IN CHRIST"

By James E. Farley

Several years ago I decided to do a study of the phrase " . . . in Christ . . . " and similar phrases such as "in Him" . . . "in the Lord" . . . "in whom" . . . "in the Son" . . . etc. I purchased a New Testament with this study in mind, and used it for my daily reading. Every time I came across this kind of phrase with reference to Jesus, I put a double check mark there beside of it. I did not want to do this study using a concordance, for I wanted it to be "my study" in the sense that I just wanted to read the Bible looking for these myself. I still have that Bible, and I am still using it for my daily reading. Do you know what? I am working my way through it now for about the 4th or 5th time, and I am still finding such phrases that I have overlooked in my other journeys through the New Testament!

It is absolutely amazing to me how many times the phrase " . . . in Christ . . . " (or other such phrases) are used in the New Testament. Over and over, like a drum roll . . . the Word tells us the advantages of being " . . . in Christ . . . "! Allow me to give you just a few examples . . .

First of all, the Word tells us that ALL spiritual blessings are located in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3). Now, I want to ask you a few simple questions . . . How many is "ALL"? If "ALL" spiritual blessings are located "in Christ", does that leave any spiritual blessings to be found outside of Christ? If "ALL" spiritual blessings are "in Christ" do you not think it a wise thing to find out how to get INTO CHRIST?

The Bible teaches us that those who are "in Christ" are a new creation, and that the old things are passed way. (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are told that there is no condemnation to those who are "in Christ." (Romans 8:1). Why is this? Simply because we have redemption through His precious blood . . . we have the forgiveness of sins "in Christ." (Ephesians 1:7). You see, the apostle Paul told the young evangelist, Timothy, that salvation is located "in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 2:10). And, the apostle John agrees with this when he writes that eternal life is "in the Son" of God. (I John 5:11). This is why the Word stresses that those who die "in the Lord" are blessed. (Revelation 5:11). Oh yes dear reader, ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS ARE "IN CHRIST" !!!

Take a minute now to read Ephesians 2:10-22 and notice the "in Christ" references there. It is "in Christ" that God reconciles both Jew and Gentile "in one body by the cross . . . " To be "in Christ" is to be in the one body of Christ . . . and there is but "one body" (Ephesians 4:4). What is the body of Christ? It is the church of Christ. (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). One cannot be "in Christ" without being in the one body of Christ, the church of Christ. And, one cannot be in the church of Christ without being in Christ. Remember, salvation is "in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 2:10), and He "is the savior of the body." (Ephesians 5:23). Salvation is therefore located in the church of Christ, His body. He purchased the church with His precious blood. (Acts 20:28). "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace . . . " (Ephesians 1:7).

One has written about the Christian's relationship with Christ Jesus, "This means we are in Him just as the birds are in the air which buoys them up and enables them to fly! It means that we are in Christ just as the fish are in the sea! The Lord has become our element . . . that vital element that must surround our very being. In Him we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:28)"

So, the question is, "How Do I Get Into Christ Where All These Spiritual Blessings Are Located?" The New Testament is clear on this point. Penitent believers must be BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST. (Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:26-27; I Corinthians 12:13). The Bible Is Right! Compare Mark 16:15-16, and please read and study the section in this paper concerning GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION.

You can certainly KNOW whether or not you are "in Him". In fact, you can know that you know. That is, you can be absolutely sure about this matter. Please, read I John 2:3-6 right now. We know we are "in Him" when we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome or overly hard to keep. (I John 5:3). We prove to the Lord that we love Him when we do what He commands us to do. (John 14:15; John 15:14). A person who says, "I love the Lord," but will not humbly submit to the Lord in obedience, really does NOT love Him. In fact, this person is lying when he says that he knows the Lord. (I John 2:3-5). How can one call Him "Lord" if he will not do what the Lord says to do? He is not "Lord" to one who will not submit to Him! (Matthew 7:21; Luke 6:46). You see, Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all who will obey Him. (Hebrews 5:8-9). Friend, have YOU obeyed the Lord in order to have your sins washed away in His precious blood? (Read Acts 22:16).

If you are not a Christian then you are yet in your sins. Please, do not die IN YOUR SINS (John 8:24). Prepare now so that when you die you can die IN THE LORD (Revelation 14:13).

Let me know how we may assist you in these most important matters.

"Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat or rams." I Samuel 15:22

FOR THOSE WITH COMPUTERS

VISIT THESE ELEVEN WEBSITES
www.searchtv.org
www.glasgow-coc.org/sermons.htm
www.tcofchrist.org/index.htm
www.duluthcofc.org/index.shtml
www.thebible.net/
www.thebible.net/wvc/
www.seektheoldpaths.com/stop.htm
www.christiancourier.com/
www.housetohouse.com/hth/index.htm
www.etspm.org/
www.gospelgazette.com/wvsop/

Here are a few interesting sites for you to visit. These can be of help to you in your study of the Word of God. We will occasionally have additional interesting and helpful sites for our readers to visit.

For those of you outside of our region, please consult your local listings for this good program. It airs throughout the United States and into some other countries. The program originates from Edmond, Oklahoma with Mac Lyon doing the teaching. The program is also aired over two national satellite networks each week. One is the Inspiration Network at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, and also on the Dish Network Sunday at 8:30 a.m.

TWO CHRISTIAN WIVES sat mending their husbands' pants. One of them said to the other: "My dear John! He is so discouraged in his church work! He said the other day he felt like quitting! Nothing goes right for him."
The other replied: "Why, my husband was saying just the opposite! He is so enthusiastic and happy! It seems like the Lord is closer to him than ever before!"
A hushed silence fell as they continued to mend the trousers . . . one patching the KNEES, the other the SEAT!

James E. Farley -To Contact Jim by email, click here