One of Paul’s favorite expressions is the term ‘In Christ.’ He uses it at least 143 times in the 13 books/letters that we know he wrote in the New Testament. We can tell that this idea was very central to his mindset; the idea of being ‘in Christ.’
But what does that mean?
Christ, himself, talks about this idea of being ‘in Christ.’
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5)
Well, Paul takes that to heart. He sees the importance of being ‘in Christ.’ Just like a fish in water or a tree in soil, Paul desires to be surrounded by, nourished by, anchored by, given life by…Christ. It’s where he belongs. A fish taken from the water would flop around and die. A tree ripped from the soil would wither away. The same is true for Paul and the same is true for us which is why Paul is a broken record when it comes to being ‘in Christ.’
So how do we actually do that? How do we ‘abide in Christ?’
Well, Christ explains that as well. “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you…Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” (John 15:7,9b-10)
Being ‘in Christ’ means being in God’s Word and making God’s Word be in you. Not just reading over it, but memorizing it, studying it, meditating on it. Then we have to do what God’s Word says. We have to allow God’s word to transform us, to correct us, to remove things from our lives and add things that we didn’t think were important.
Abide in Christ (John 15). Christ is the Word made flesh (John 1). We cannot be ‘in Christ’ without being ‘in the Word.’ And not just being in the Word, but dwelling, living, remaining, existing in God’s Word. It should be the water that surrounds and infuses us. It should be the soil that nourishes and anchors us.
Today, may you the Word and be in Christ.