I saw a comment on someone's social media that kind of surprised me.
Responding to a good posting about our new identity in Christ, the commenter objected to the idea that we can be "in Christ" without sorta earning it by our actions.
His main point went like this:
"To be IN Him though, we need to read the Word, go to church and discover more of Jesus through a truly intimate relationship."
Here's the response I made to Him:
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Whoa, [name withheld to save embarrassment :)]- Go here: http://olivetree.com/cgi-bin/EnglishBible.htm?version=nasb&help=search - do an exact word search for "in christ" (without the quotation marks) and you will see that being "in Christ" is a once-for-all state that we enter immediately upon our salvation -- before we read the Word, go to church, or anything else.
Particularly, look at Rom 12:5; 1 Cor 1:30 ("by HIS doing you are in Christ"); 2 Cor 5:17; Gal 3:28; Eph 2:6,10; etc., just for starters.
You will not find ANY verse that indicates that we GET "in Christ" by doing any acts of any kind.
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In retrospect, I shouldn't have been surprised at all, considering how much "performance-based Christianity" (earning the love and favor of the Lord from our DOING) has infected the Church.
The point is, at the moment when we are saved by grace through faith, we are "in Christ"...forever. And of course, He is in us, as well :)
SIDENOTE to those who might be enquiring about Jesus Christ -- the Good News is this:
"God so loved the World that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting (eternal) life."
Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried and rose again the third day.
The Bible says "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved", and "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Will you believe in Him and call on Him today?
Jesus himself said, "If any man will come to me, I will in no way cast him out."
If you would like to look at Jesus further, I recommend beginning with the Gospel of John in the New Testament of the Bible. God bless you.
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3 comments:
Terry,
I am always deeply saddened to hear, or read, works oriented comments such as you mention.
It is almost unbelievable that even many of those who claim the great solas of the Reformation,still deny the efficacy and sufficiency of the finished work of Christ.
One pastor I know has told the congregation they MUST tithe and attend ALL meetings of the church, other wise they are probably not saved.
Sorrow is the only word I can use to describe my feelings for that pastor and the congregation.
Agree, John. Thanks.
RE: "You will not find ANY verse that indicates that we GET "in Christ" by doing any acts of any kind."
"It is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous." Rom. 2:13
Which statement is not true?
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