Lou & I have been talking about what it means to be "In Christ". We have realized that we have a problem, that many Christians have, the failure to understand the impact of the resurrected life of Jesus. How do we get our arms around the idea that we are simultaneously righteous and a sinner? Martin Luther used this as his argument against the idea that our works merit our salvation. We understand in our head that we are save, justified and reconciled to God, but at the same time we are sinners. So, what does it mean to be "In Christ"?
God does want to transform us. He wants to take away the guilt of sin, but also the power of sin. We just learned that Paul uses the phrase "in Christ" or "in the Lord" 164 times in his epistles. This is obviously an important truth! So, what does that mean?
As Lou & I have been discussing this, we have been thinking about what it means to be a new creation,what it means to abide, what it means to be indwelt by Jesus, what it means to be a follower of Christ. This is a process and we are still flushing it out. Yesterday at church, we sang the song In Christ Alone. I have grown to love this song, but it moved me even more because of this concept that Lou & I have been reflecting on. Here are the lyrics [written by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend, 2001]
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From a life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand
'Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From a life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand
'Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand
I love the reminder that He is my hope, my comfort, my Savior, my coming King! Lou & I will continue to process this truth that we are "In Christ". This song will be a reminder of hope I have by understanding this truth.
