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Living “in Christ”

What’s new?

I love asking people this question. It’s an easy way to get a quick update on their lives and discover what’s important to them. Sometimes, I find that “what’s new” isn’t very pleasant, and this alerts me to pause and pray for them. Other times, I discover they feel discouraged because nothing seems “new.” Their daily life feels monotonous and stuck.

But as Christians, let’s remember that to be “in Christ” is to be made new by receiving Christ’s sacrificial death as payment for our sin debt.

Moreover, we were united with Christ through His death and resurrection into this new life, and from the moment we accepted Jesus as our Savior, the Holy Spirit lives within us. Now we have a new identity, a new family, a new purpose, a new power, a new freedom, and a new eternal future.

Therefore, no matter what our current circumstances or emotional state, we always have hope. So how do we live and grow in our newness in Christ?

In his book Deeper, Pastor Dane Ortlund teaches about true spiritual growth by contrasting four common approaches to Christian living.

The first is the “Christ, then me” approach. This is when you receive the wonderful, saving work of Christ and then try to live for God by your own effort to please Him.

The second approach is “Christ, not me.” This is when you choose to “let go and let God.” You wait for God to do all the transforming work in and around you.

Next is a “Christ + me” ideology. It’s closer to the truth: God does some; I do some. We are partners.

But “Christ in me” is the biblically true approach to live and grow as a Christian. Christ in me is a union where your whole life is Christ. He works in you, in all things, as you live!

The Apostle Paul revealed this wonderful dynamic of what our union with Christ is like when he said:

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10 ESV

Consider the marriage metaphor in Ephesians 5 that depicts our union with Christ:

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:31-32 NIV

A profound mystery to be sure! The word “united” in the original Greek language means “to glue or bind together.”

This is ultimately “what’s new” if you are in Christ. And this is truly something to pause and give thanks about.

Reflection Questions:

• In what ways are you living from the reality of being “in Christ?”
• Do you identify more with one of the false approaches to Christian living? If so, which one?

Look Closer: Do a word search of the phrase “in Christ” or “Holy Spirit” on YouVersion and read some of the Scriptures that show up. What stands out to you?