In the concluding part of our series entitled “Brexit and all that”, we shall cast the spotlight on a few more priceless benefits of being “in Christ”…
Family…
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3:28 NIV)
Those who are God’s children are now part of God’s family called the Church. While there is a niversal church, comprising of all God’s children, the children of God gathering together to worship Him locally in a convenient place under the leadership of an anointed child of God (read Pastor). This constitutes the local church. While corporate worship is the primary motive of the local church, it is also binding on it to “build up and encourage one another” (I Thess 5:11/Eph 4:16/Rom 12:15), even while extending Christ-like love to those outside its portals. While on the subject, let it be said that spiritual bonds are stronger than the blood ties, for the former are eternal in nature, while the latter are limited to this side of Eternity only (Matt 12:46-50).
The local church, in a way, is a silent miracle in and of itself. Therein, men from diverse backgrounds, with no pride whatsoever about their race, face or place of their upbringing, meet together with one common agenda: To experience their Heavenly Father’s Grace and exercise His will (Acts 4:32-33). While on the subject, let me also state: never “exit” (unless there are some very, very compelling, valid reasons) from that Church by whose Ministry you were saved and baptized. There is a Sacred Covenant (in the eyes of the Lord) between you and those Church elders, that they would do all that is within their strength to further your spiritual welfare. On your part, you should co-operate with them in this regard (Heb 13:17).
Fruit…
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 ESV)
Remarked a wise saint, “The Christian life is not my responsibility, but rather only a response to His ability”! Not only our right standing (read righteousness) with our Heavenly Father emanates from us being in Christ, but also all our good deeds of loving and caring for one another, both within and outside the Church. We will share both the Gospel and our personal testimonies (Acts 8:25), both within the Church, where our aim is in the transformation of the nominal souls for good; and outside the Church, where our aim is to deliver the unbelievers from sin. This will stem solely from our relationship with our Father, and not from our own finite strength (Zech. 4:6). We supply the will, Christ supplies the power! That’s why the Apostle Paul notes in his epistle to the Galatian Churches: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me….” (Ga.l 2:20 ESV). Then again, it comes as no surprise that in the middle of his amazing, unparalleled Fruit-bearing Ministry that the Wise Apostle declares: “For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 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 Cor. 15:9 ESV)
So there we are, dear friends. In the Christian realm, who we are actually depends on where we are and who is with us and in us! Say Reader, are you “in Christ”? Hmmm…The privileges one has for being in Christ far outweigh the privileges the British might lose for opting out of the EU. So let’s persevere in Christ!
Prayer: Father, we are eternally grateful for having been rooted “in Christ”. With Thy enablement, help us to spell out the benefits of being “in Christ” gracefully to those who are living without Him and bring them to your saving grace. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Suresh Manoharan
An unworthy servant
J and SM Ministries