Dr. Dan Hayden •
I was born in America. I am an American citizen, and I have an American passport. Therefore, wherever I go in the world, that’s my identity. If the people of the country I’m visiting like America, they like me. If they don’t like America, they don’t like me. That’s just the way it is.
Now I don’t want to equate America and Christianity, but there is an illustration here. I am born again in Christ – therefore, I am a Christian. So wherever I go in the world, that’s my identity. If those around me love Christ, they like me. If they don’t love Christ, they don’t like me. And that’s just the way it is.
In 2 Timothy 3:15, Paul says to Timothy, “And that from a child you have known the holy scriptures which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
Now that’s what salvation is. It’s being in Christ Jesus. You see, salvation is not a thing – it is not just something you receive as a right of passage into heaven. Rather, salvation is a Person. It is having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
The phrase “in Christ” is probably the most crucial phrase in the Bible. “In” means “within, or inside of.”
When we receive Christ as our Savior by faith, the Holy Spirit places us in Christ. It is a though we are surrounded by Him – immersed in Him.
It’s a lot like a baby in a womb. Even though the baby has its own identity, it is dependent upon the mother for everything, and what happens to the mother, happens to the baby. The baby is “in” the Mom.
Well, when we are in Christ, what’s true of Him becomes true of us. Since He is holy – then positionally before God, we are holy. Since He has eternal life – then we have eternal life. That’s what salvation is all about. Salvation is being in Christ Jesus.
So, have you received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? It’s the only way to be saved, you know. ■