Riff's Christian Journal

What Does It Mean To Be “In Christ Jesus”?

Throughout the New Testament, numerous times there is mentioned the phrase “in Christ Jesus”, but have you ever looked into what it means to be “in Christ Jesus”?

As a refresher, here are several verses in which this phrase is stated:

Rom_8:1  (KJV)  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,

Eph_1:1  (KJV)  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Php_4:21  (KJV)  Salute every saint in Christ Jesus.

1Pe_5:14  (KJV)  Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

The little word “in” carries a big job in these verses for it is used to denote the following:

– A primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), that is, a relation of rest… give self wholly to, –

You see, once a person is born again and, by the faith of Jesus given to us with which to believe in Him, we not only submit our will but our whole being to Him. In other words, we enter into a unity with Jesus and become one with Him, to do His will and to be obedient to his commands so that we may grow in His grace. Just like when we read what Jesus said to His followers in John 15: 4, 5.

Joh 15:4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 

Joh 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 

For without me you can do nothing…

In order for us to grow and bear fruit, we need to become closer to Jesus, to learn of Him. We must give up our will to do what we want, in order to do His will, so that we can be at one with Him; He in us and we in Him.

When we give ourselves wholly to Him that is when we become someone who is “in Christ Jesus”.