Living in Christ

An open letter from Adrian Mikula.

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to encourage you from a great Bible study I had a couple of weeks ago on Ephesians 1:1-14.  As God is challenging me, so I would like to challenge you!

God has given us every spiritual blessing “in Christ” (Eph 1:3).  In Christ, God has chosen us (4,11), given us his grace (6), redeemed and forgiven us (7), revealed the mystery of his will (9), and marked us with a seal (13) – all “in Christ”.  Why not just say “from Christ”? Because Jesus is the source of all these things.  Even more, he is the only source.

If all my money is in my BHP shares, then I have a vested interest in what happens to BHP.  BHP’s fate determines mine. It means I’m all-in. Similarly, we are relying totally on Jesus for these things – they are inseperably bound to Christ. If we separate from Christ, we also separate from the blessings and promises.  If we unite with Christ, they immediately become ours.

If you say “I am in love”, or “I am in the garage”, then there is no doubt about the issue – it’s crystal clear.  You’re saying something black and white about your state of being.  Likewise, we have these
things completely in Christ, not just partially.  If you are in Christ, they are already yours, right now!

Now all that can sound a bit airy-fairy, but the question for us is, do we act like this is the reality?  Do I live as if I already have everything I need in Christ?  Do I react to circumstances, make decisions, and treat other people like this is the case?  Do I view myself as if I am already bought and redeemed by Jesus, or do I still live in fear of God’s wrath?  Or do I feel too weak and sinful to do anything great for God?

Read Ephesians 2:10: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before-hand, that we should do them.”  It’s not our plan that we’re following, it’s God’s.  And he chose you before you were born, to do his work.  That means that, no matter what your weaknesses, God can use you incredibly – he’s already planned it!  He just wants you to believe that, and to start acting like it’s true.

The God of our minds is so much smaller than the Almighty God of reality. He’s already given us everything we need to do his will.  Let’s start believing it and acting like it!

Blessings in Christ,

Adrian