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The often-repeated prepositional phrases “in Christ,” “in Him,” , and “in the beloved” all mean that our soul is in union with God. They indicate that we are right now “alive in Christ.” Every aspect of Christian ministry is dependent upon this glorious truth because apart from Christ we can do nothing.

Paul wrote, “For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church” (I Corinthians 4:17 NKJV).

Richard Longenecker comments: “In Pauline parlance, that reality of personal communion between Christians and God is expressed from the one side of the equation as being ‘in Christ,’ ‘in Christ Jesus/Jesus Christ,’ ‘in him,’ or ‘in the Lord’…

[some 172 times including the pastoral epistles]. Viewed from the other side of the equation, the usual way for Paul to express that relation between God and his own is by some such phrase as ‘Christ by his Spirit’ or ‘the Spirit of God’ or simply ‘the Spirit’ dwelling ‘in us’ or ‘in you,’ though a few times he says directly ‘Christ in me’ (as here in [Galatians] 2:20; cf. Colossians 1:27,29; see also Ephesians 3:16,17) or ‘Christ in you’ (cf. the interchange of expressions in Romans 8:9-11).”

For every verse that says Christ is in you, there are approximately ten verses that say you are in Christ. According to Robert Tannehill, the phrase “in Christ” refers to “action or ex istence as it is characterized by a particular power, the power of Christ and his saving acts.” That is consistent with the fact that there are no verses in the Bible that instruct us to pursue power because we already have it in Christ. Paul said in Ephesians 1:18,19, “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe”

Pursuing something you already have can only lead you down the wrong road. Power for the Christian is found in the truth, and the power of the devil is in the lie. If you expose Satan’s lies, you will destroy his power because he truly is a defeated foe. Satan has deceived the whole world (Revelation 12:9); consequently, the world lies in the power of the evil one. However, Satan cannot do anything about your position in Christ. But if he can get you to think that your position in Christ isn’t for real, then you will live as though it isn’t.

The continuing process of sanctification is a walk with God “in Christ.” Notice what Jesus said in the greatest invitation ever extended to mankind: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). Jesus didn’t say come to the synagogue or submit to some program. He said, “Come to Me” — come to My presence and I will give you rest.

“There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His” (Hebrews 4:9,10). This much-needed rest in the Lord is not an abdication of our responsibility nor a cessation of labor. Rather, it is practicing the presence of God and living by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit. If we try to serve the Lord by walking according to the flesh, we will burn out.