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The following article is from a chapter of a book by David Servant titled The Disciple-Making Minister. It is preceded in the actual book by other chapters that would be helpful, but not essential, for understanding this chapter. If you would like to read those chapters first to gain a better understanding of the context of this chapter, please click here. You are welcome to download, print, copy, distribute or transmit these documents by any means, as long as the documents are unaltered and kept their entirety, and are not sold for profit. ©2006 by David Servant

Chapter Nineteen
In-Christ Realities

Throughout the New Testament epistles, we find phrases such as "in Christ," "with Christ," "through Christ," and "in Him." These frequently reveal some benefit that we as believers possess because of what Jesus has done for us. When we see ourselves as God sees us, "in Christ," it will help us to live as God wants us to live. The disciple-making minister will want to teach his disciples who they are in Christ to help them grow to full spiritual maturity.

First, what does it mean to be "in Christ"?

When we are born again, we're placed into Christ's body and become one with Him, spiritually. Let's take a look at a few sample verses from the New Testament epistles that affirm this:

So we, who are many, are one body in Christ (Rom. 12:5, emphasis added).

But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him (1 Cor. 6:17, emphasis added).

Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it (1 Cor. 12:27, emphasis added).

We who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ should see ourselves as joined to Him, members of His body and one spirit with Him. He is in us and we're in Him.

Here's a verse that tells us some of the benefits that we have by virtue of our being in Christ:

But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus , who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption (1 Cor. 1:30, emphasis added).

In Christ, we've been made righteous (declared "not guilty" and now do what is right), sanctified (set apart for God's holy use), and redeemed (purchased from slavery). We're not waiting to be made righteous, sanctified or redeemed at some point in the future. Rather, we have all those blessings right now because we are in Christ.

In Christ we've had our former sins forgiven:

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins (Col. 1:13-14, emphasis added).

Notice that this scripture also tells that that we're no longer in Satan's kingdom, the domain of darkness, but are now in the kingdom of light, the kingdom of Jesus.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ , he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come (2 Cor. 5:17, emphasis added).

Praise God that if you are a follower of Christ, you are a "new creature," like a caterpillar changed into a butterfly! Your spirit has been given a new nature. Previously you possessed Satan's selfish nature in your spirit, but now all of your past life has "passed away."

More Blessings in Christ

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:26, emphasis added).

Isn't it wonderful to know that we are actually God's own sons, born of His Spirit? When we come to Him in prayer, we approach Him not only as our God but also as our Father!

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:10, emphasis added).

God has not only created us, He also recreated us in Christ. Moreover, God has predestined a ministry for each of us to fulfill, "good works...prepared beforehand." We each have an individual divine destiny.

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21, emphasis added).

The righteousness that we possess because we are in Christ is actually God's own righteousness. That's because God has indwelt us and transformed us by the Holy Spirit. Our good deeds are really God's good deeds through us.

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us (Rom. 8:37, emphasis added).

What are "these things" of which Paul wrote? The verses in Romans that precede this verse reveal that they are the trials and sufferings that believers experience. Even in martyrdom we are the victors, although the world may consider us victims. We overwhelmingly conquer through Christ because when we die, we go to heaven!

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13, emphasis added).

Through Christ, nothing is impossible to us because God gives us ability and strength. We can accomplish any task He gives us.

My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19, emphasis added).

We can expect that God will meet our true needs if we seek first His kingdom. The Lord is our shepherd, and He takes care of His sheep!

Agreeing With What God Says

Some of us, unfortunately, don't believe what the Word of God says about us, as indicated by our making statements that contradict what the Bible says. Instead of saying, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" we're saying, "I don't think I can make it."

Such statements are what the Bible calls "bad reports" because they disagree with what God says (see Num. 13:32). If, however, our hearts are full of God's Word, we will be full of faith, believing and saying only what agrees with Scripture.

Some Biblical Declarations

We should believe and say that we are who God says we are.

We should believe and say that we can do what God says we can do.

We should believe and say that God is who He says He is.

We should believe and say that God will do what He says He will do.

Here are some scriptural statements that all believers can boldly declare. Not all are necessarily "in Christ" realities, but all are true according to Scripture.

I am redeemed, sanctified and made righteous in Christ (see 1 Cor. 1:30).

I've been transferred out of the kingdom of darkness and into to the kingdom of God's Son, the kingdom of light (see Col. 1:13).

All of my sins have been forgiven in Christ (see Eph. 1:7).

I am a new creation in Christ--my old life has passed away (see 2 Cor. 5:17).

God has prepared good works beforehand for me to walk in (see Eph. 2:10).

I've become the righteousness of God in Christ (see 2 Cor. 5:21).

I overwhelmingly conquer in all things through Christ who loved me (see Rom. 8:37).

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (see Phil. 4:13).

My God supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ (see Phil. 4:19).

I am called to be a saint (see 1 Cor. 1:2).

I am a child of God (see John 1:12, 1 John 3:1-2).

My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Cor. 6:19).

It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me (see Gal. 2:20).

I have been delivered from Satan's authority (see Acts 26:18).

God's love has been shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Spirit (see Rom. 5:5).

Greater is He who is in me than he (Satan) who is in the world (see 1 John 4:4).

I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (see Eph. 1:3).

I am seated with Christ in heavenly places, far above all of Satan's spiritual forces (see Eph. 2:4-6).

Because I love God and am called according to His purpose, He is causing all things to work together for good (see Rom. 8:28).

If God is for me, who can be against me? (see Rom. 8:31).

Nothing can separate me from Christ's love (see Rom. 8:35-39).

All things are possible for me because I'm a believer (see Mark 9:23).

I am a priest of God (see Rev. 1:6).

Because I am His child, God is leading me by His Spirit (see Rom. 8:14).

As I follow the Lord, the path of my life is getting brighter and brighter (see Prov. 4:18).

God has given me special gifts to use for His service (see 1 Pet. 4:10-11).

I can cast out demons and lay hands on the sick so that they will recover (see Mark 16:17-18).

God always leads me in triumph in Christ (see 2 Cor. 2:14).

I am an ambassador for Christ (see 2 Cor. 5:20).

I have eternal life (see John 3:16).

Everything I ask in prayer, believing, I receive (see Matt. 21:22).

By Jesus' stripes, I am healed (see 1 Pet. 2:24).

I am the salt of the earth and the light of the world (see Matt. 5:13-14).

I am an heir of God and a joint-heir with Jesus Christ (see Rom. 8:17).

I am part of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people for God's own possession (see 1 Pet. 2:9).

I am a member of the body of Christ (see 1 Cor. 12:27).

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want (see Ps. 23:1).

The Lord is the defense of my life--whom shall I fear? (see Ps. 27:1).

God will satisfy me with long life (see Ps. 91:16).

Christ bore my sicknesses and carried my pains (see Is. 53:4-5).

The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid (see Heb. 13:6).

I cast all my cares upon the Lord because He cares for me (see 1 Pet. 5:7).

I resist the devil, and he flees from me (see Jas. 4:7).

I am finding my life by losing if for Jesus' sake (see Matt. 16:25).

I am the Lord's bondslave (see 1 Cor. 7:22).

For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain (see Phil. 1:21).

My citizenship is in heaven (see Phil. 3:20).

God will complete the good work He has begun in me (see Phil. 1:6).

God is at work within me, to do His good pleasure (see Phil. 2:13).

I've been redeemed from the curse of the law (see Gal. 3:13).

This is just a small sampling of positive declarations that we can make based on the Word of God. It would be a good idea to make a habit of saying these declarations until the truths they affirm become deeply rooted in our hearts. And we should monitor every word that comes out of our mouths to make sure we aren't taking sides against what God has said.

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