This is the last post of In Christ Alone: What Every Christian Needs to Know More Deeply and Experience More Profoundly. There are 31 devotionals on the greatest reality, which is being “in Christ Jesus.” Every aspect of our salvation is only found in Him. The Lord willing, the book will be published in either December or January.

And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:6-7

 

The best is for last—not only at the end of this book, but also at the end of this age. God’s eternal purpose was “set forth in Christ” and is entirely based on “the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7-10). Everything is centered in Christ. He’s “the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end” (Rev. 21:6). In plain English: it’s all about Him!

God’s plan included choosing us “in him before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4). Having been chosen “in him,” we were (and are!) fully connected to every part of His great saving work. We were, so to speak, in His loins (see Heb. 7:9-10). What He performed, we performed. That’s why Paul wrote in Romans that we’ve died with Christ (see Rom. 6:8).

In today’s verses we read that God also “raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places.” His resurrection from the dead is our resurrection from the dead; His ascension to heaven is our ascension to heaven. That’s why being “in Christ Jesus” is the totality of our salvation.

When all is said and done, God will show us “the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” His infinite love for His Son is His infinite love for us. We’ll experience and enjoy everything Jesus is, has accomplished, and has obtained through His righteous life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection. That’s good news!

The riches of His grace are immeasurable. To the Corinthians Paul wrote: “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.” Whatever is coming, it’s “freely given us by God” (1 Cor. 2:9, 12). That’s what grace is all about. There will be no boast in self, no matter how small, but only in God’s grace, having chosen us “in him before the foundation of the world.”

Jan Blonk
The Devotional Writer
www.devotionalwriter.com

P.S. on December 1st we’ll start Joy to the World: Christmas throughout the Year. There are 25 devotionals, written for December 1st through December 25th. You can get your FREE copy right here.

There’s no greater reality than being “in Christ Jesus.” It’s the essence and totality of the gospel. It means we share in who Jesus is, what He has accomplished, and what He has obtained–all freely giving “in Him.”

This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Ephesians 3:6

The great litmus test for sound theology is the centrality of the person and work of Jesus Christ. That’s ultimately the main (and only!) point of the Bible. It all started with God’s promise to Adam and Eve: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel” (Gen. 3:15).

     Later on God chose Abraham to be His Son’s ancestor: “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matt. 1:1). When He chose Abraham, He said: “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 12:3). God’s salvation is for “all the families of the earth.” Race isn’t an issue at all: “You were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9).

     Even though God had clearly stated the gospel is or “all the families of the earth,” the Old Testament is primarily about the lineage through whom Jesus would come—the Jewish people. They were the ones who received “the covenants of promise” (Eph. 2:12). Since these promises were so clearly stated to Israel, some believe that they have no true bearing to Christians, separating them into two peoples of God. That persuasion misses the main (and only!) point of the Bible!

     Paul made it clear that throughout the Old Testament there was a mystery that wasn’t clearly revealed until the New Testament: “That the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus.” Whether a Jew in the Old Testament, like David, or whether a Gentile believer in the New Testament, salvation is centered “in Christ Jesus.”

     The “covenants of promise” are only fulfilled in Christ Jesus: “For all the promises of God find there Yes in him” (2 Cor. 1:20). It’s only “in Christ Jesus” that we have salvation. Whether one lived from Genesis through Malachi or from Matthew till the end of the age, those who believe God’s promise, realized through the gospel, are “members of the same body”—the body of Christ.

Jan Blonk
The Devotional Writer 
www.devotionalwriter.com

P.S. While Christmas is still a little less than two months away, the stores are already displaying the Christmas merchandise. I guess it’s not too early to start. In order to properly prepare for Christmas, I invite you to check out my latest devotional: Joy to the World – Christmas throughout the Year. (it’s only $0.99 and will be a blessing to you).

Justification (being declared righteous) and sanctification (starting to live righteously) go hand in hand. You cannot have the one without the other.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

Being “in Christ Jesus” isn’t only a positional reality, it’s also a practical reality. Actually, if there’s no practical evidence, we may have to wonder if we’re truly in Christ. God didn’t save us to only enjoy our position; He also saved us in order to live in harmony with His word and will. It’s rather simple: if there’s no fruit, there’s no root. Our position and practice are two different sides of the same coin. They are fully related.

     Today we’ve one of the more famous passages: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). These verses emphasize God’s grace and faith being the channel by which we receive His salvation.

     When we consider grace, we see two main points. First of all, “And this is not your own doing.” Grace and our “own doing” cannot co-exist. Paul stated that as follows: “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace” (Rom. 11:6). Grace excludes “your own doing”—your own works.

     Secondly, “it is the gift of God.” Grace is synonymous with God’s gift. The gift of salvation is solely by His grace. There’s no entitlement or earning. God designed salvation in such a way that “no one may boast.” That brings us to today’s verse, which starts with a cause—for.

     What does it mean to be saved by grace? It means that we are His workmanship. He created us—made us alive—“in Christ Jesus for good works.” This has also two major points. First of all, to the Corinthians Paul wrote: “And because of him you are in Christ Jesus.” That’s the same as the Father creating us in His Son. Secondly, it means that we receive all spiritual life, growth, and fruitfulness (good works) from Jesus. He’s the Source! That’s what grace is all about. It’s a continuous gift, “so that no one may boast.”

Jan Blonk
The Devotional Writer
www.devotionalwriter.com

P.S. Get “Battling Sexual Temptations and Sins” for only $0.99 on Amazon

The reality of being “in Christ” is not just a nice concept, it’s an absolute practical truth, not just in how we relate to our Father, but also to one another.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32

As stated before, many times Paul could’ve made his statements without adding “in Christ.” “As God forgave you” makes the exact same point. However, he added “in Christ.” The reality of being “in Christ” is vital, not only in relation to understanding and experiencing God’s relationship to us, but also our relationship with one another. Let’s consider both.

     God relates to us as being “in Christ.” There’s absolutely no other way for Him to relate to us favorably. That’s why Jesus stated: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). In other words: no one can truly relate to the Father apart from being “in Christ.”

     Since we’re in Him, God counts us as perfectly righteous because Jesus is perfectly righteous. God also doesn’t remember our sins anymore—He freely forgives them—because Jesus died for them. He treats us the same way He treats Jesus. That’s absolutely mind-boggling. Unfortunately, many times we don’t truly live in this great reality and we also fall short in relating to one another as such. Didn’t Jesus even say: “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Matt. 25:40). He fully associates Himself with His body—with all who are “in Him.”

     Not only are we to grow in our understanding and experiencing of being “in Christ” in relation to God, our Father, but also in relation to our brothers and sisters. They have the same blessings and gracious benefits that we have. Consequently, we’re to relate to them accordingly.

     That’s what Paul clearly stated in this verse. As God is kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving to us “in Christ,” even so are we to “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.” There’s a definite connection between truly living in the reality of being “in Christ” and how we relate to one another. The more we realize how God treats us “in Christ,” the more we will treat our brothers and sisters accordingly, reflecting God’s kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness.

Jan Blonk
The Devotional Writer
www.devotionalwriter.com

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace . . .

Ephesians 2:13-14

In order not to violate Amazon’s “Terms of Service,” the content of this post has been removed. The post is now part of A Glorious Sacrifice – Seeing and Savoring God’s Matchless Love. Click this link to find out more: www.amazon.com/author/janblonk

     A Glorious Sacrifice contains 40 short devotionals on God’s infinite love, fully expressed in the death of His Son. Each devotional takes only 3 minutes and will be a great blessing and encouragement to your faith. Jesus said we’re to daily “feed on His flesh” and “drink His blood.” This book will help you do so! www.amazon.com/author/janblonk

     I encourage you to sign up for my blog. You’ll receive new devotionals, updates on upcoming books, and info on FREE promotions. You’ll also get a FREE copy of An Unfathomable Gift! God’s Astonishing Grace (4.8/5 stars on Amazon): www.thegloryofchrist.com/free-book

Thanks for stopping by!

Jan Blonk
The Devotional Writer

 

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.

Ephesians 1:7

In order not to violate Amazon’s “Terms of Service,” the content of this post has been removed. The post is now part of A Glorious Sacrifice – Seeing and Savoring God’s Matchless Love. Click this link to find out more: www.amazon.com/author/janblonk

     A Glorious Sacrifice contains 40 short devotionals on God’s infinite love, fully expressed in the death of His Son. Each devotional takes only 3 minutes and will be a great blessing and encouragement to your faith. Jesus said we’re to daily “feed on His flesh” and “drink His blood.” This book will help you do so! www.amazon.com/author/janblonk

     I encourage you to sign up for my blog. You’ll receive new devotionals, updates on upcoming books, and info on FREE promotions. You’ll also get a FREE copy of An Unfathomable Gift! God’s Astonishing Grace (4.8/5 stars on Amazon): www.thegloryofchrist.com/free-book

Thanks for stopping by!

Jan Blonk
The Devotional Writer