Dr. Dan Hayden •
“O.K., You’re in…you belong to the group.” Well, that may make you feel pretty good. But remember, belonging usually includes bearing some responsibility for participating and benefiting the group. Are you ready for that?
In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 it says, “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” “In Christ Jesus.” You know, that is a key theological phrase in the New Testament. “In Christ,” or “in Him,” is used over and over to express the position we enjoy as Christians.
For instance Ephesians 1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ.” Or 2 Corinthians 5:21, which says “…He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
“In Christ Jesus.” That’s our spiritual position before God. It means we belong to Him—that we are encompassed by Him—that we are surrounded by who He is. Now the fact that we are in instead of out means that we bear certain responsibilities, and one of those responsibilities according to 1 Thessalonians 5:18 is that we give thanks in everything. Are you ready for that? That’s what God wants us to do. It’s His will for us when we are “in Christ Jesus.”
Say—are you in Christ? Well, you can be, if you receive Him as your Savior.