TO BE “IN CHRIST” IS TO BE “IN GOD”

Colossians 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Paul is very specific in this verse—The believer is to reckon himself dead (to the flesh).  We have been born again in the spirit to new life “with” Christ “in” God.  This wording stood out to me since Paul uses the expression “in Christ” so often.  The Greek for with states “denoting union.”  We are united as one with Christ in a fixed position of rest in God.   Paul pictures Christ as the head of one body of believers. 

Ephesians 4:15-16 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 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.

We are also joined as one through the indwelling of the same Holy Spirit.

1Corinthians 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

Though it is important to recognize the distinction in Father, Son and Spirit, it is also important to understand that they are also the same.  So, even though Paul is making a point as to the Father’s provision for us through His Son, it is clear that if we are “in Christ,” we are “in God.”

Paul also makes the point that our life is “hid” with Christ.  The Greek makes reference to being concealed by covering and kept secret.  We tend to think of life more from a physical perspective, but the true essence of our life is spiritual.  When we accept Jesus as Savior, we are given new life that is concealed in His righteousness. 

2 Corinthians 5:21 “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.”

When we receive our glorified bodies, our spiritual life and physical life will once again be manifest in the glory and image of God in which it was originally created.

Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

This is a when statement, not an if statement.  Jesus Christ will manifest Himself in all His glory to those on planet earth.  When that time comes, the body of believers will be with Him.  Prophetic side note:  We can’t be with Him when He returns to earth unless we have first been taken up to be with Him in heaven.  Note that we will appear with Him “in glory”—in our glorified bodies.

“who is our life” – I think it is important to emphasize again that it is “in Christ” that we have new life. 

1Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

2Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

(to be continued…)