IN CHRIST – what does it mean?

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IN CHRIST – What does it mean

We use this term….in Christ…..a lot in our fellowship, in our communications, in the teachings and sharings of God’s Word.  But what exactly does it mean?

Here is what I understand of in Christ..

What God gave us when we first believed unto Jesus Christ……the spirit of His Son, Jesus Christ, also known as Holy Spirit…….this is Christ in us.
As God, by the revelation of that Christ within, reveals to our understanding, different aspects, truths, realities of that Christ within, and as we think, believe and walk in the understanding of this revelation, we are in Christ.

Walking in Christ is a growth.  It’s a journey…not an arrival point.  (Well, it is an arrival point, in that we’ve arrived, when we’re on the journey).  Learning to, and walking in Christ is an exciting spiritual adventure of discovery, wherein we will:
1)  Learn to recognize, know and love God, and our Lord, Jesus Christ.
2)  Learn to know and recognize our enemy, and how to defeat him at every turn
3)  Learn to maximize the experience of our existence…..as sons and heirs of God.

What it is not:

  • Behavior modification.
  • Trying not to sin.
  • Trying to be a good Christian.
  • Trying to be a good witness.
  • Doing all the “Christian things” right.   That is, reading the Bible, praying, going to Church, etc. etc.
  • Trying to make God happy.

What it is:

  • …Experiencing the reality of the Holy Spirit of God, the spirit of Christ within.  (Holy Spirit…because it is the very nature of God…..Christ within, because this Holy Spirit of God was given to Christ to give to us, and this Holy Spirit of God always testifies of Christ, making him known)
  • …Hearing from God via that Spirit….thus causing our faith to grow.
  • …Learning from God via that Spirit…..thus seeing life and our place in it more and more clearly.
  • …Growing in an understanding of our new abilities, rights and privileges as sons of God, joint heirs with Christ of  all that God has to give us.
  • …Walking in the lordship of Jesus Christ.
  • …Becoming, in our understanding and experience, more spiritual beings, with:
  •          1) The ability to see the truth of life, of situations, of relationships. and
  •          2) the power to thus triumph in all these areas.

What is God’s part.
Teach, reveal, strengthen, impart, energize, direct, cause to triumph.

What is our part.
Want it.  Walk in what has been revealed to us.  Desire more.  What that will look like remains to be seen, as each person makes Godly spiritual choices concerning his/her life.

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The book, Give Me Christ … Revelations of the Glorified Christ is now available on Amazon.

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Related studies:
The Fellowship of Our Sonship
How to Be Born Again
The Mystery of Christ
What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and How to Preach It.
Fruitfulness in Christ – Colossians 1:1-15

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About stevehartlaub@gmail.com

I'm a 70 year old spiritual adventurer in life, but I don't really get along with organized religion. I find it too passive, too worldly, too conforming, too powerless ... though I know many wonderful believers involved in it. I have been a seeker of Jesus Christ since 1974 in Ketchikan, Alaska. Very early into my spiritual journey, I came to the realization that I wouldn't be able to last long in this new Godly relationship without becoming able to understand the Bible. God supplied that need, and shortly thereafter I became interested in Biblical research ... Greek, word studies, HOW the Bible is designed to be understood, its customs, etc. I married Sharon in 1985 in Vancouver, Canada. I have 5 children - 3 girls, 2 boys....ages 27-33. All were homeschooled. 3 are happily married. I have six grandchildren. I have taught and studied the Word of God in informal gatherings in England, Scotland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Canada, Alaska, Nevada and all over the United States. In 2006 I became aware of God calling me into the revelation of the glorified Christ within, and I have been involved in making that revelation known since then. I recently moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas, after living in Fitchburg, Wisconsin (suburb of Madison) since 1990.. If you're ever in the area, please look me up. I am a retired house painter, and God is providing for my wife and I abundantly! I am meek to the instruction of God...which often occurs while another person is speaking! So don't be afraid to comment on any of these studies. Because my heart is open to my master teacher, Jesus Christ!
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