Understanding our position in Christ

First and foremost it is important to know our position in Christ, for it is only because we are in him that we have eternal life and the hope of glory.  

Someone may have shared with you that Christ died for your sins, was buried and rose again.  If you truly believed this simple gospel, you placed your entire trust in Christ’s finished work on the cross as complete payment for all sins, past present and future.  As a consequence of having believed that simple gospel of Christ, God's word teaches that you are now saved and have the Spirit of God.  

Yes, something spiritual happened at that moment when you believed the gospel, and you now have an assurance directly from God’s word that when you heard and believed the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, you were immediately sealed with the holy Spirit of promise.  

Please don’t take anyone else’s word for it, but read God’s own word for yourself.  This is what Paul wrote to the Ephesians after he heard of their faith in Christ.

• Eph 1:13 KJV  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

In that spiritual transaction, you were baptised by the holy Spirit of God into the body of Christ.

• 1Co 12:13 KJV  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Christ himself is our spiritual head and we are all members of the church, which is his body.

• Eph 1:22-23 KJV  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,  (23)  Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

That is our position, members together in the one body of Christ, every one members one of another.

• Rom 12:5 KJV  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Why is it essential to know our position in Christ?

Knowing our position is so important, because we could never have sufficient righteousness of our own to be accepted by God.  It is only by being in Christ, the beloved, that we have been made accepted. 

• Eph 1:6 KJV  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.  

On the cross, Christ who knew no sin became sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him, and it is in him alone that we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins.

• 2Co 5:21 KJV  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 
• Eph 1:7 KJV  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

This is just the starting point, knowing our position in Christ, with his righteousness imputed to us by faith, and having all our sins forgiven, according to the riches of his grace!!    

The certainty of resurrection

It means so many things, to be in Christ, including the certainty of resurrection to eternal life.  Being baptised into the body of Christ, means we were baptised into his death and will be raised up, like as Christ was raised from the dead.

• Rom 6:3-5 KJV  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  (4)  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  (5)  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 

Redeemed from the curse and penalty of the law

The Bible tells us that, in Christ, we are become dead to the law by the body of Christ.  According to the law, the wages of sin is death (not just “big sins”, but ANY sin).  This is the curse of the law; because nobody can keep every law, by the law all the world is guilty and condemned to death.  But Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, by paying the wages of sin when he hung and died on that wooden cross, shedding his blood for our sins.

• Gal 3:13 KJV  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Peace with God - reconciled by Christ’s blood, as full payment for sins

By trusting alone in Christ’s payment for our sins, we have peace with God.  He is fully satisfied that Christ paid the price in full, and he extends the offer of salvation, in this age of grace, to anyone who will simply trust that Christ died for their sins, was buried and rose again.  In this belief, a person is justified and accepted before God.

The assurance of eternal life – any nagging doubts dispelled

We could not save ourselves or add to Christ’s finished work; if we could have done so, there would have been no need for his death on the cross.  All he asks from us is to trust in what he has done on our behalf.  We are accepted and have eternal life because we are in Christ.  

No longer need there be any nagging doubt about whether or not we’ve been good enough to be saved, or stay saved, because we know for certain that we have no righteousness of our own; we are no longer trusting in ourselves to have confessed, repented of our sins and been baptised, nor do we rely on any work of our own whatsoever, but we are trusting only in his perfect righteousness, imputed to us by faith in the gospel.  

God’s own righteousness imputed to us by faith in Christ’s payment for sins

The story about Abram having God’s righteousness imputed to him because of his faith, was not written for his sake only, but for ours also.  By his example, we know that through our belief in Christ being delivered to death on the cross for our sins and raised again for our justification, we have God’s own righteousness imputed to us.

• Rom 4:21-25 KJV  And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.  (22)  And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.  (23)  Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;  (24)  But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;  (25)  Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. 

Knowing that we have God’s imputed righteousness by faith in the gospel of Christ, we can sing, as the hymn says: 

• My soul has found tranquillity, no longer would I try, to add to Calvary’s finished work, complete in Christ am I.  I need no other argument, I need no other plea; it is enough that Jesus died, and that he died for me. 

Secure in Christ and his love

Just as we could not do anything to save ourselves, so too, there is nothing we or anyone else can do to separate us from the love of God due to our position in Christ Jesus our Lord, whether in this world or in eternity.  

• Rom 8:38-39 KJV  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  (39)  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Standing firmly in the truth, against God's aversaries

By understanding our position as members of Christ’s body, we begin our Christian life with full assurance of our salvation, trusting only in the sufficiency of his death, burial and resurrection.  This is a fundamental starting point, which protects us from those who would pervert the gospel of Christ, from Satan (the god of this world) who uses his ministers of righteousness to blind the minds of those who believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ should shine unto them.

• 2Co 4:3-4 KJV  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  (4)  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
• 2Co 11:14-15 KJV  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  (15)  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Our new life in Christ – how to walk worthy of our calling

Thank God for his perfectly preserved word, through which we have, not only the full assurance of eternal salvation through the gospel, but all of what we need to be able to live our new life in Christ, here and now.  

As believers in Christ, we want to be filled with the knowledge of his will, not according to some denominational creed, but in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.  God wants us to have knowledge, wisdom and spiritual understanding, that we might walk worthy of the Lord, pleasing him and being fruitful in the work he would have us carry out, that others would hear and believe the gospel.  But he wants us to increase in knowledge also that we might be fully prepared for the work he has for us. He wants us, not just to be able to bear the persecution that comes from living godly in Christ Jesus, but to be truly joyful about it as we patiently wait for his return, strengthened in the meantime with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering.

A prayer for new believers to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will

This is what Paul prayed for the Colossians, when he heard of their faith.

• Col 1:3-5 KJV  We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,  (4)  Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,  (5)  For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
• Col 1:9-11 KJV  For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;  (10)  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;  (11)  Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

For those already in the body of Christ, we should make the same prayers for new believers, and for each other.  We should encourage and edify one another in Christ, caring for each other that we would each grow in knowledge and be strengthened with might in our inner man; that we put off the old man and be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

The need and method for personal Bible study (rightly dividing the word of truth)

The new believer is encouraged to read the verses quoted in this study, directly from the word of God, the King James Bible in the English language.  This is an important discipline, to ensure that what is being said is true. 

Personal study is an important means for taking on board God’s actual words, as he intended, seeing the correct context rather than, as religion so often does, end up using single verses or passages of scripture completely out of context, in order to teach a doctrine that is not intended for the church, the body of Christ. 

At the outset it is important to believe that, while all scripture is from God and profitable for us, there is a need to study God’s word as he prescribed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

• 2Ti 3:16-17 KJV  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
• 2Ti 2:15 KJV  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

God's Spirit is our teacher

As believers, each one of us has the Spirit of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.  As we’ve just read, all scripture is given by inspiration of God. Therefore every verse is spiritual and can be relied upon as the truth.  By comparing scriptures, spiritual things with spiritual, we are able to speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth.

• 1Co 2:12-13 KJV  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.  (13)  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Meeting with like-minded believers

We should meet together with like-minded believers who, by speaking the truth in love, increase and edify one another in the body of Christ.  We are all fitly joined together by God and have need of each other for our growth.

• Eph 4:15-16 KJV  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  (16)  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

God did not intend multiple denominations, each with their own separate interpretation of how to be a Christian.  Through the Apostle Paul, God said:

• 1Co 1:10 KJV  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

The Biblical pattern for believers today, is to follow Paul, even as he followed Christ

The new believer should be aware that the risen Lord Jesus gave Paul the doctrine for the church, the body of Christ.  He is the pattern we should follow, even as he followed Christ.

• 1Ti 1:16 KJV  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
• 1Co 4:15-16 KJV  For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.  (16)  Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
• 1Co 11:1 KJV  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
• Php 3:16-19 KJV  Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.  (17)  Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.  (18)  (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:  (19)  Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

A prayer for the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ Jesus

It is such a joy to hear of a new believer in the gospel of Christ, especially in this present evil world, where very few care about the truth.  When we do hear of someone who, having heard the gospel of Christ, placed their faith in him for their salvation, they should be constantly in our prayers, in the same way as Paul gave thanks and prayed for the Ephesians:

• Eph 1:15-20 KJV  Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,  (16)  Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;  (17)  That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:  (18)  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,  (19)  And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,  (20)  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.

What a blessing to know that whether it was just yesterday or many years ago, each of us who have heard and believed the gospel of Christ are saved and are members of his body, with all the blessings and assurance which that brings.  

How to be filled with all the fullness of God, who works in us

Through his precious word, Christ strengthens us and dwells in our hearts by faith, teaching us of his love and filling us with all the fulness of God.

• Eph 3:14-21 KJV  For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,  (15)  Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,  (16)  That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;  (17)  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,  (18)  May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;  (19)  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.  (20)  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,  (21)  Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Our reasonable response to God’s mercies

God has shown great mercy in saving us and it is therefore natural that we should want to serve and please him, not according to our own ideas or those of a religious denomination, but according to God’s own perfect will.  But where should we start?  He tells us what reasonable service looks like and he gives us all of what we need, through his perfectly preserved word, for our minds to be renewed and transformed, that we might understand and discern what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

• Rom 12:1-2 KJV  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  (2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

How to study the word of truth and avoid division in the body of Christ

As mentioned earlier in this study, 2 Tim 3:16 tells us that all scripture is inspired by God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.  All scripture means all of the Bible, so we should not neglect to study all of God’s word.  But his method of study is so important to understand, because confusion, division and false doctrine, are the consequences of failing to rightly divide the word of truth.  

Thank God that he has provided instruction in how to study his word, and it applies to all believers in this age of grace.

• 2Ti 2:15 KJV  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Each denomination chooses which parts of the Bible apply to them, ignoring the fact that the risen Lord Jesus appeared last to the Apostle Paul and revealed, specifically to him, the gospel and doctrine for the church, the body of Christ.  

• Gal 1:11-12 KJV  But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.  (12)  For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

This is why, as shown earlier in this study, Paul repeatedly instructs members of the body of Christ to follow the pattern which Christ revealed to him. 

Where do we find explicit instruction for the church today?

We who believe the gospel of Christ, that he died for our sins, was buried and rose again for our justification, are members of the church, the body of Christ.  Therefore, we find both the assurance of our position in Christ and his instructions for us, his body, contained within the revelations given to Paul, God’s Apostle to the uncircumcision and Gentiles, now written in the books of Romans to Philemon.  

This is where we find the doctrine by which our minds are renewed and transformed, strengthened and equipped to serve our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ, according to his will for us.