"In Christ ": What does it really mean?

[DJT_47]

[Inquirer]

[Replying to DJT_47 in post #1]

These are very good questions, it will be interesting to hear some of the replies.

I too find the NT littered with almost incomprehensible phrases, and agree that these are often glibly regurgitated by many Christians without a hint of what they really mean.

I don't regard these though as reasons to doubt, on the contrary for me they are reasons to believe, the expressions indicate to me some profound idea outside of our comprehension and they drive me to further study. I personally do not think these expressions would be present unless there was some profound truth to it all, a made up, pseudo political "religion" (as some claim Christianity to be) simply would never express ideas that were unfathomable like this, they would not leave the listener puzzled, I think if it had been made up then the NT would just be an extension of Hebrew traditions and beliefs, not a completely radical system like what is written.

It was Jesus who first mentioned "The Father" there was no concept akin to this in Judaism prior to Christ and expressions "The father is in me and I am in him" or "He who has seen me has seen the father" and so on, are as puzzling today as they were two thousand years ago, and we know they were puzzling back then, because the disciples frequently expressed dismay at some of the things Christ said.

[1213]

"In Christ": What does it really mean?
...

I have understood it means we remain in the word of Jesus, be loyal to him, and follow his example, for example because of this:

Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, "If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
John 8:31-32

[DaveD49]

"In Christ": What does it really mean?

To be "In Christ" means to actually live by His words. Christ's message was all about love of all and forgiveness of all. Unfortunately there are quite a few who said that they are "Christians" but do not follow truly follow His teachings. If we are harboring hatred towards anyone we are not "in Christ". If we do not forgive those who have slighted us we are not "in Christ". It is rather sad that many will pray the "Our Father" but not actually listen to the words they are saying when it says "and forgive us our trespasses AS we forgive those who trespass against us". We are asking God to forgive our sins ONLY TO THE EXTENT that we forgive those who have sinned against us. The forgiveness of our wrong-doings are thus tied to our willingness to forgive others.

When a person is "in Christ", loving and forgiving all, there comes with it a peace that unsurpassed and at times a joy that is completely overwhelming.

[DJT_47]

As I stated in my OP, there's only one scriptural way to be "in Christ" and that's by being baptized into him. By doing so, you become a member of his body which is the church.

[sridatta]

"In Christ": What does it really mean?

The word Christ means " God in human form" or Human incarnation of God or God in Flesh. God is unimaginable and beyond space. Nobody can even imagine Him in His absolute state. But can be seen when He comes here in human form known as Christ or " God in human form" or Human incarnation of God or God in Flesh. God comes here for our sake only so that we can see Him, touch Him and co-live with Him. God is impartial and He comes in every human generation like Rama, Krishna, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, Shankara, Sai Baba, Shri Datta Swami etc to preach divine knowledge to uplift us.

[sridatta]

As I stated in my OP, there's only one scriptural way to be "in Christ" and that's by being baptized into him. By doing so, you become a member of his body which is the church.

Baptism means getting immersed in divine knowledge of God and love to God without expecting anything from Him and serve Him practically in this world that is the meaning of Baptism. It shall not be just limited to spraying some water over head, which is only a ritual. The essence of the ritual shall be understood today. We shall learn divine knowledge of God and practice that knowledge in our life. For preaching this divine knowledge, God Himself comes to this world in human form in every human generation to preach and uplift us. One shall meet the present human form of God and learn the divine knowledge from Him and practice that knowledge in ones life. Divine knowledge which removes all our spiritual doubts is the identity mark of God in human form. Since God is impartial He comes to this world in every human generation to preach the divine knowledge. God alone knows about Himself and hence descends own in human form called as Human incarnation of God.

[Brightfame52]

We cant even begin to understand what " In Christ" means really without its foundational meaning, which is having been Chosen in Him by God the Father before the foundation of the world Eph 1:4

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love

Just like in our natural lives, which began in Adam, we had to be chosen in Adam in the beginning.

A companion verse for Eph 1:4 is 2 Tim 1:9

9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Again there was a chosen people, seed, generation in Christ Jesus before the world began, even then was grace for salvation given them.

This lays the foundation for what it means to be in Christ !

[Miles]

[sridatta]

Being in Christ refers to our position. We might say that we are in a house, or in a car. And when we do we are specifying an enclosing object. If I am in a car, then wherever that car is, I am as well. And whatever happens to the car, in a sense, also happens to me.

So it is with being in Christ. I am enclosed by him. And so where he is, I am as well. And his experience also, in a sense, becomes my experience. I will look at both of these later on. But what is significant here is that, as a follower of Jesus, I am not an independent agent. I am included in something much greater than just myself.
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It means you are in love with God Jesus. We call it devotion to God. When you love GOd and that too without expecting anything in return from God Jesus then it is the greatest. Treating God Jesus as our own son and serving Him practically without expecting any rewards is a greatest devotee in the eyes of God Jesus.