Are
You In Christ Jesus? (Ephesians 1:1-14)
Don
McClain
The
expression "In Christ Jesus" or its equivalent is used some
twelve times in the first fourteen verses of the first chapter. The
apostle Paul undoubtedly establishes and emphasizes a fundamental and
essential principal, which must be recognized in order to understand and
to achieve the desired goal and effect of the epistle. The letter to the
Ephesians was written to explain and define the relationship that exists
between the Savior and the saved. If one is to be saved, he must be IN
CHRIST! To be in Christ is to be in His body, or church, (Eph 1:22,23;
2:16; 5:23-32).
When one is "In Christ" he is a "saint
and faithful" - (Eph 1:1,2). In Christ we are separated from the
world to the service of God, and that service is carried out in the spirit
of loyalty to the instructions given by the one whom we serve, and
dependability in fulfilling our obligations unto Him. If we are truly
separated from the world, and faithful unto Him to whom we belong, truly
grace and peace will be ours.
When one is in Christ he is a partaker of
"Every spiritual blessing" - (Eph. 1: 3). Many of these
spiritual blessings are discussed in the following passages, but the
principle is clearly set forth that UNLESS one is IN CHRIST, he cannot
partake of ANY of them. One may lead a good moral, honest, and charitable
life, and thus receive the physical blessings associated with such a
lifestyle, but those things are not the cause or source of our spiritual
blessings (Acts 10:1-6,22, 11:14).
When one is in Christ he is "Sealed with the Holy
Spirit of promise" (Eph. 1:13). We can share in the wonderful
blessings IN CHRIST experienced by Paul through believing the gospel which
he preached, of which he states as being "The power of God unto
salvation," (Rom. 1:16), and in this passage, - The word of truth,
(John 17:17), the gospel (Romans 10:14-17), of your salvation. The gospel
provides one with the facts to be believed; commands, which must be
obeyed, and promises in which we are to hope. Our acceptance of the facts
related to us in the gospel by faith, and our submission to the demands of
the gospel by faith, assures us, and authenticates us as being recipients
of the wonderful blessings God has promised to those "IN CHRIST
JESUS." God will keep His word to us!
