Lord’s Day, Vol. 8 No. 49

Secured In Christ

1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

The believer’s greatest privilege is that he is “in Christ”. This relationship with  Christ unlocks the greatest treasure the believer will ever know. Indeed, to be secure in life is to be secured in Christ. The Apostle Paul tells us that we are complete in Him. Being “in Christ” is accorded unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.

What is this wisdom? It is the wisdom of God as contrasted with the wisdom of this world. It is the wisdom by which a man can be saved connected with God through Christ – 1 Corinthians 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

A man receives this wisdom through hearing the gospel. The believer is in Christ because he believes God’s Word – Romans 10:8-12 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

The way of righteousness or to be right with God is not by man’s effort but by faith in Christ – Romans 3:21-22 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

This faith in Christ enables him to overcome the world – 1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Christ has overcome the world on their behalf and by abiding in Christ they will be given the grace to overcome. This is the process of sanctification, being made holy, and yet they are already holy in the sight of God.

The word “redemption”  is literally an action of buying back of a slave or captive through payment of a ransom. Hence, it means setting free, release. For the believer, it is to be rescued from sin – Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. – Christ is the Person, Who sets us free from sin, being the Redeemer or Deliverer. It is in Christ that we continue to enjoy this freedom. More than that, this word “redemption” has the sense of glorification in view when we have completed our pilgrimage through this world.

We are in Christ when we seek to obey His Word thus abiding in Him. This is the way by which the power of God will be manifested in our lives for His glory. Amen. – Pastor Lek