In HIM!

Our Bible Study this week was soooo good! We are in the book of Romans, using a study written and taught by Courtney Doctor. I can’t recommend her teaching enough! She is gifted in presenting the gospel.

“BUT GOD”

This week we read the disrupting phrase, “But God!”

But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

Romans 3:21-22 NLT

When the time was right, according to His plan from eternity past, God sent His son so that we could be made right with God! Such an amazing truth!

And those of us who have accepted this truth are found in Christ! Notice what the scripture says, blessings because we are IN CHRIST!

We are …

… Created in Christ

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph 2:10 NIV)

… Crucified with Him

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Gal 2:20 NIV)

… Buried with Him

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (Rom 6:4 NIV)

… Baptized into Christ

And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. (Gal 3:27 NLT)

… United with Him in His resurrection

For if we have been united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be in the likeness of his resurrection. (Rom 6:5 CSB)

… Seated with Him in the heavenly places

For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. (Eph 2:6 NLT)

… Found in Him

For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him. (Phil 3:8-9 ESV)

… Made alive in Him

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ. (Eph 2:4-5 NIV) 

… Chosen in Christ

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. (Eph 1:4 NLT)

… Adopted into Christ

God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. (Eph 1:5 NLT)

… Circumcised spiritually in Him

When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. (Col 2:11 NLT)

… Living our lives in Him, being rooted and built up in Him

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Col 2:6-7 NIV)

… Marked with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit

When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit-

… Made righteous in Him

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV)

… Enriched in every way

For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— (1 Cor 1:5 NIV)

Rejoice today because you have been found in Christ and thank our God for His many benefits!

My Prayer

Father, I am overwhelmed by the truth of the gospel – but now!  At just the right time, you picked me up out of the domain of darkness and placed me in your Kingdom of light. You forgave my sin and redeemed me, giving me a heart of flesh. And you call me your child, your sister, even your friend.

I rejoice in the promise that you never leave me and that you are always with me. These truths are beyond glorious! I praise you today. Help me in my unbelief, give me faith for THIS day that my life will be totally yours, in thought, word, and deed.

Teach me today. Lead me today. May the truth of the gospel be ever in my mind and heart today. And may my spirit rejoice in You – not just for what you have done, but for who you are.  You are the almighty king, my glorious savior, the righteous one. I cling to you today. Amen.

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Check out this excellent essay about our Union with Christ by theologian Rory Shiner to dig deeper!