Rich in Christ

I never knew how rich I am in Christ until now. For years, I always tried to perform religiously to be righteous, be approved, be sanctified, etc., in the eyes of church leadership. This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t learn how to work out in our experience the new standing that we have in Christ.

Philippians 2:12

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

We’re instructed to work out (to put into practice in their daily [living,] what God had worked in them by His Spirit172) our own salvation (carry their salvation to its ultimate conclusion, namely, Christlikeness, i.e., maintain victory over sin and the living of a life pleasing to the Lord Jesus173).

As we reflect on the divine declarations about us, our new lives in Christ will not only become realized in our experience, but we’ll begin to recognize teachings, whether they support God’s view of us. Don’t allow anyone to say that you must do this or that to obtain these spiritual realities. And if someone says you can lose because of thus or such, run baby run.

And don’t forget, you also have another adversary who’ll try to convince you that you’re not such as you believe you are.

1 Peter 5:8-9

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

We’re told to be sober (mentally self-controlled), and vigilant (awake and watchful; never be off your guard), because our adversary (opponent), the devil, is trying to devour (destroy) us by beguiling our senses, perverting our judgment; enchanting our imaginations; deceiving us with false views of spiritual things; and destroying us with violent opposition, persecution, and death.

Whom we are to resist (withstand) by being stedfast (rocklike firmness) in the faith (trust in a body of doctrine or beliefs which Christians adhere to along with depending upon the strengthening and protecting power of God).

So, as you begin to think of yourself in the right way, i.e., according to God’s Word, your view of others and responses to the circumstances of life will change. And people will begin to see you as the new “I am,” as you automatically evidence what the following verse expresses what God’s desire is for all of us.

Acts 1:8b … and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

I hope you enjoyed reading this study as much as I did while writing it. I’d appreciate it if you could leave a review on Amazon. Thank you and God Bless.

Endnotes

172Bible Knowledge Commentary/New Testament.

173Weust’s Word Studies.