(34) "In Christ" - is what it is !

Someone has asked - "Does God HAVE TO do it this way ?" That's always a good question, I guess - but - we're generally using it as a rhetorical defense - because it doesn't matter what the answer is - the actual question has to be - "DID God do it this way ?"

Obviously I contend that HE DID - so I try to deal with it like HE set it up - not like HE could have set it up ! That leads to a second question - do we have to believe it this way ? My response - the Bible says - live up to what you know ! We can only understand what we understand - right now - but anticipate learning more - and try to make it Biblical CONCEPTS - not verses taken out of context. It IS what it IS. So - enjoy the climb !

In OTHER words - when Paul writes a whole book about being "in Christ" - we can learn that, but he did write it to Christians, so it generally explains what we are now - and how it happened. That way - when it comes time to share the information, we can be more informed about the stuff God inspired men to write down - and I think that is a good thing ! BUT - a couple of Paul's DEEPEST prayers was that the Christians would realize what they NOW HAVE ! And - HE gave a reason for this realizing and being informed - "that YOU may be filled to the FULL with all the FULLNESS of GOD" Ephesians 3:19. He even prayed that we would KNOW what is beyond knowledge - same verse - and that is how to be filled with ALL of God's fullness. That is not just realizing what we have - but experiencing what HE HAS for us !

"Christ in you - the hope of Glory" has a couple layers of meaning. It means at first glance that we have hope because Christ is IN US. Hope of GLORY - usually refers to an even greater excitement in the future. Well - to me it refers to a fulfillment of the promise in 1 John 4:17ff. - that we get to stand on the judgment day and have NO FEAR - but rather confidence - because "as HE is, so ARE WE - in this world" - that sounds sort of important. I want that for YOU ! This concept is an IDENTITY thing.

Wait a minute - this is "in Christ" - not Christ in you ! Exactly - and that is Christ's Promise in John 15:5ff - "He that abides IN ME and I in him" which Jesus was thinking about as He readied Himself to die for us and be raised in John 17:20ff. "that they may all be ONE - even as You are in Me and I in You - they may be in US - that the world might believe that You have sent Me"

Very challenging - to have us in God and Christ so others believe. "But - that was the 12" - someone said - NO - the prayer is about those who believe through the 12 - that includes YOU and me. But, that does help us with Colossians and its theme. To be IN SOMEONE - is to be part of their actual life-force. We DO become part of their History - and their destiny - but remember Paul's goal - "to be filled with ALL the fullness of God" - do we WANT THAT ?

That IS what happens when we have Christ "in us" - we receive Christ's performance - the result of His faith - and we get what HE won for us ! Christ had the ultimate Victory - and He shares everything with those who allow Him to be their Champion. So - maybe this can be YOUR motto - "Claim the Victory-Share the Joy" - and it WILL BE - if your Focus is Jesus ! More to come