In Christ

Watchman Nee (from Studying the Bible, A Living Sacrifice)

In studying God’s Word, we will see that the New Testament only uses terms such as “in the Lord,” “in Christ,” “in Christ Jesus,” never does it say “in Jesus” or “in Jesus Christ.” This is what we call the discovery of fact. We should try to remember all instances where these terms are employed. Then we should compare them with the terms that are not used. Why in a certain place is the phrase “in Christ” used but not “in Jesus”? Why does it say “in Christ Jesus” but not “in Jesus Christ”? Why does the Bible never once use the term “in Jesus Christ”? As we analyze and compare the Word, we can expect God to give us light that we may see.

We now are shown that “Jesus” is the earthly name of our Lord. “Jesus Christ” means this Jesus will one day be Christ. “Christ” is the name given to Him after His resurrection and anointing by God. “Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified” (Acts 2:36). Hence it is His name of resurrection. Then in Romans we find “Christ Jesus,” which means the Christ of today is the Jesus of yesterday. Christ Jesus has become His name now. The term “Jesus Christ” is quite different from that of “Christ Jesus.” Christ is formerly Jesus, and Jesus later will be Christ. We can only be in Christ but never in Jesus. We can be in the Lord or in Christ Jesus, but not in Jesus Christ.

When our Lord lived on earth, we could not be in Him. For if we were, we would share His cross and the work of redemption. No, He alone is God’s only begotten Son; we have no part in it. His birth in Bethlehem is something we cannot share. Then why is it we can be in Christ? “But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus” (1 Cor. 1:30). It does not say in Jesus, but in Christ Jesus. For we are actively united with Him in His resurrection after He died and was raised from among the dead. There God has made Him Christ; and there by His Spirit God has joined us to Him. 

The Abrahamic Vision

Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad (John 8:56)

Jesus made it clear that salvation is of the Jews (John 4:22), therefore we cannot be disconnected from our spiritual Hebraic ancestry in particular relation to the Covenant the Lord made with Abraham (Gen 12). The same gospel preached to Abraham (Gal 3:8) is still the same gospel we receive to leave the world (1 John 2:16) and to enter into His inheritance (Heb 4:3), as Jesus is the same from beginning of eternity to the end of eternity as though here is a beginning and end (Rev 22:10). Neither the Lord nor His message of salvation changed, so why do we need to alter or modify the gospel to suit today’s world?

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it (Psa 118:24)

Abraham saw and rejoiced, so we likewise need to see with our spiritual eyes the same Messianic Message our spiritual forefather saw, the glory of Him full of grace and truth (John 1:14). The ‘grace’ part we can quickly appreciate, but the ‘truth’ is where we need to grapple. Truth brings us to light (John 3:21) and in that light we have greater revelation (Psa 43:3). In the light everything is exposed, denying the light reaps condemnation (John 3:19). Truth is hard and confrontational to our character, morality, and all that can summed up as ‘self’; taken correctly in the light is our deliverance and in that light is Christ Himself (John 9:5). Eyes require light to see, if we are willing to see as our spiritual father saw we too will rejoice. There is a rejoicing that perpetuates because Jesus is the only cornerstone of our existence (Psa 118:22-24).

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me (John 15:4)

The Abrahamic vision has to be constant in both the mountain top experiences and the valley of everyday living. Keep our eyes focused (Heb 12:2) by abiding in Christ and draw from His life, the pleasure of the Father (Mark 1:11). If we are baptized into Jesus Christ (Rom 6:3), than the boundary conditions of our lives is just that. Our thoughts, speech, doing and being have to found in Christ. Reckon that our past is concluded (Rom 6:11); hence we are able to ‘put off’ (Col 3:8) and begin to bear fruit (Gal 5:22). A life that is not submitted to the Spirit of God (Rom 8:1) cannot bear fruit of the Spirit and yielding to the flesh will yield its deadly fruit (Rom 6:16, 22).



If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. (Psa 137:5)

Only we will honestly know if there if true joy reside hidden from man’s eyes. If not then check if we are attached to the root that bears the branch (Rom 11:18), ‘for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee’ (Rom 11:21). Is there fruit of the imputation of righteousness? God is still the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. There is a continuance of the covenant, but have we aligned ourselves to the same which Abraham received or is there another god of our lives. The Hebraic life is one that is looking for the conclusion of the age whilst living as strangers and pilgrims on the earth (Heb 11:13), with 'next year in Jerusalem' uttered from our lips with great expectancy unto the second coming of our Messiah (1 Thess 4:16-18).

Be Holy

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1Pet 1:16)

The definition of ‘Holy’ have been sadly misconstrued by many and often considered a joke or individuals labeled as a ‘do-gooder’ or a character which is an impossibility to attain. Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines a ‘do-gooder’ as ‘an earnest usually impractical and often naive and ineffectual humanitarian or reformer’. Perhaps the ‘holier than thou’ braggarts have tarnished the true essence of what God considers as holy; or is it because there are those who are indeed truly holy living unforced natural lives at a high level of morality that by itself served to condemn those who loved darkness more than light (Heb 11:7, John 3:19).

Peter says to ‘be holy’ not ‘do holy’. Nor is holy an accolade achieved by any amount of good that one can do. Holiness is not a performance neither is it a standard that is derived from human thinking or experience. Holy is God for He is holy (1 Pet 1:15) and He graciously offers this favor to fallen mankind. ‘The grace of God in calling a sinner is a powerful engagement to holiness’ – Matthew Henry. ‘He which hath called you is holy’ is the only explanation why we who are called must reflect as He is.

How then are we to ‘be holy’? Firstly, heed the call to come out of the world for there is nothing good in the world (1 John 2:15-17), to be saved from sin, not save in sin. It is a change of position, state or being. From one kingdom to another Kingdom (Col 1:13-15), from one ruler to another Ruler therefore it boils down to our decision to be set apart to live in under another realm of authority where He will lead us on that pathway (Psa 23:3, Isa 35:8). Holy is separation not just an end.

Those who are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28) have received an invitation to death (Rom 6:3).  Not death in hopelessness but death unto resurrection to the Greatest Life (Rom 6:8) in which the total pleasing of the Almighty God is showered (Matt 3:17).

The Holy God has given the clarion invitation to be holy, are we willing to be holy as He is? Or do we still very much love our current position, perhaps to the extent disbelieving that it is beyond His divine capability to make us holy as He is. His invitation is for those who will be the expression of His Holiness in the dark and dying world with the intent to bring hope not condemnation. The hardest part to be set apart and holy is reckoning death of self and the unflinching desire to live Christ life.

He Will

Claudius L. Chilton

"`He will.' It may not be today,

That God Himself shall wipe our tears away,

Nor, hope deferred, may it be yet tomorrow

He'll take away our cup of earthly sorrow;

But, precious promise, He has said He will,

If we but trust Him fully--and be still.

"We, too, as He, may fall, and die unknown;

And e'en the place we fell be all unshown,

But eyes omniscient will mark the spot

Till empires perish and the world's forgot.

Then they who bore the yoke and drank the cup

In fadeless glory shall the Lord raise up.

God's word is ever good; His will is best:--

The yoke, the heart all broken--and then rest."