In Christ

A couple weeks have passed since I have been delving on the mysterious phrase, "In Christ." This simple phrase spans the whole Bible and the whole divine revelation. It has been so frequently used by many Christians that it so become so common to the point of nullifying its real significance. Today, to many among believers, its a reflex action of the mouth to utter this, yet far far away from its reality.

"In Christ" signifies one is in Christ. Christ today is in every believers' spirit, but how about every believers in Christ? The problem today is not that Christ is not in the believers, He is very much there since regeneration. But to many, He is just locked up in their spirits without any freedom. Instead of He taking control, the soul or even the flesh of the believers is mostly the ruler and the person. So is the deficiency in many Christians' lives and living. I, not an exception.

When my Bible reading portion was on dealing with the flesh and walking by the Spirit as in Galatians 5:16-26, I could not easily proceed further, as the Lord was leading me to the subjective experience of the word. Though outwardly sinful I may not be or at least appear to be, but there has been a struggle between my human spirit and my flesh, as is with any man with flesh and blood. I delved deep into the word and prayed, over and over again, considering the practicality of walking by the Spirit and not having to do with anything of the flesh.This has been going on for a considerable length of time. 

One Lord's day morning, I could not read my Bible further and I was led to pray a very genuine prayer, opening myself fully before the Lord. The Lord then shone upon me that the answer to the very question I had been asking was the very familiar phrase I have been using all my Christian life-- "in Christ!" 

When one is in Christ, sin, Satan, the flesh and the world has no ground. The fact that one is struggling a toggle between the two is, one is not in Christ. Where is Christ! "..in Christ....seating Him at his right hand in the heavenlies" Ephesian 1:20. So when one is in Christ, and since Christ is in the heavenlies, he is in the heavenlies in Christ! If one is truly in Christ, the question of the flesh is obsolete. But the question remains, "How can one practically be in Christ moment by moment?" As I pondered over this question, the Lord shown on me further with the very dictum of the church life, "Exercise your spirit!" What a revelation of the revelation that have become so common. Yes, to exercise my spirit and to live in the mingled spirit is the way! Hallelujah!

As I went through these mysterious interaction, out sprang a very familiar hymns that I could sing the whole lines by heart, even in Hindi. I enjoyed singing this hymn and joyfully thanked the Lord for my spirit and His Spirit in me. Yes, to be in Christ, is to be in spirit; exercising our spirit to live and walk according to the spirit.

Later this experience became my portion and I ministered to all the saints in the local church on that Lord's day prophesying meeting.

1. We will sing to the Lord with our spirit,
   We will sing to the Lord from within,
   We will sing hallelujah to Jesus;
   And be blent into oneness with Him.
2. We have been many years in religion,
   We have been many years in our mind,
   We have been many years in emotions,
   Always seeking, but never to find.
3. Now we’re learning to turn to our spirit,
   Now we’re learning to take Christ as life;
   Now we’re learning to feed upon Jesus
   And be freed from all struggling and strife.
4. Hallelujah for life in the Spirit,
   Hallelujah for newness within.
   When we turn from our mind to our spirit,
   We enjoy all the riches of Him.
4. Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/1141#ixzz2bReGnYkp