Life in a capsule, submerged

Three words, ‘in Christ Jesus,’ and variations such as ‘in Christ,’ or ‘in Him,’ are phrases used by Paul more than 130 times in his 13 epistles.

"It was the dominant thinking of Paul because in his mind being ‘in Christ Jesus’ is the essence of what Christianity is all about; it’s the essence of the grace of God and who we are," says Jordan.

“Christ is our life, our mind, our goal, our strength; He’s the sum total, the excellency of all that we have. In Christ—you’ve got to get the idea—is to be IN something. The idea is to be IN the sphere of something.

“I like to say we’re encapsulated. You see, if you were in a circle, that would be different. When you’re in a capsule, you’re surrounded with protection and then if a brick fell, what would happen? It would bounce off! You’re completely surrounded. That’s what it means to be ‘in Christ.’

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“God has chosen us IN HIM and we are made alive IN HIM,” writes Bible expositor Cora Harris MacIlravy. “We are new creatures IN HIM and are to walk IN HIM as we received Him, rooted and builded up IN HIM and established in our faith.

“We become the righteousness of God IN HIM, we are established IN HIM, and can do all things IN HIM that strengtheneth us. God always lead us in triumph IN HIM, making us a sweet savor of Christ unto God. IN HIM we have all spiritual blessings in heavenly places; as we abide IN HIM, we are made complete IN Him who is the Head of all principalities and powers. And we are made more than conquerors THROUGH HIM that loved us.

“It is as we realize upon the vital union which God has put between Christ, who is the ‘Chiefest of ten thousand,’ and us, who are members of His body, that this mighty Conqueror enables us to set up banners (floating over, His own peculiar banner, bearing His name, ‘Love’) through the power of His work upon Calvary. Thus is He glorified.”

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Paul says in Colossians 3:3, “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”

“I used to struggle with this verse, wondering, ‘What does it mean?!’" admits Jordan. "Then it dawned on me it means exactly what it says. What a thought!

"If I’m standing in a circle, I’m not hid and you can see me. It’s just on one plane. But if I’m in a capsule and ‘hid with Christ,’ I’m totally submerged inside of God with Christ!

"You know what that is? That’s security! That means I’m safe and secure inside of Him from any harm; any foes on the outside. And I’m completely supplied by everything that’s in the capsule.”

(new article tomorrow)