David JJJ

Who I am in Christ I am accepted in Christ I am God's child ~ John 1:12 As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ ~ John 15:15 I have been justified ~ Romans 5:1 I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit ~ 1 Corin. 6:17 I have been bought with a price, and I belong to God ~ 1 Corin. 6:19-20 I am a member of Christ's body ~ 1 Corin. 12:27 I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child ~ Ephesians 1:3-8 I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins ~ Colossians 1:13-14 I am complete in Christ ~ Colossians 2:9-10 I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ ~ Hebrews 4:14-16 I am secure in Christ I am free from condemnation ~ Romans 8:1-2 I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances ~ Romans 8:28 I am free from any condemnation brought against me, and I cannot be separated from the love of God ~ Romans 8:31-39 I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God ~ 2 Corin. 1:21-22 I am hidden with Christ in God ~ Colossians 3:1-4 I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me ~ Philippians 1:6 I am a citizen of Heaven ~ Philippians 3:20 I have not been given the spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind ~ 2 Timothy 1:7 I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me ~ 1 John 5:18 I am significant in Christ I am the branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life ~ John 15:5 I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit ~ John 15:16 I am God's temple ~ 1 Corin. 3:16 I am a minister of reconciliation for God ~ 2 Corin.5:17-21 I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm ~ Ephesians 2:6 I am God's workmanship ~ Ephesians 2:10 I may approach God with freedom and confidence ~ Ephesians 3:12 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me ~ Philippians 4:13 THE MORE YOU REAFFIRM WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST, the more your behavior will begin to reflect your true identity! info on this page from the book: Victory Over the Darkness: Realizing the Power of Your Identity in Christ by Neil T. Anderson

Adoption is a wonderful descrption for what happens to us "In Christ" as Dr Wilson taught in the lesson there is movement from the lowest class (who we were in Adam- ie sinners, enimies and helpless Rom 5) to the highest class (heirs, raised with Christ, seated with Christ etc)- what an incrediable transistion- praise God for His grace! On a personal note, one that might resonate with others, my dad skiped out of my life when I was two- I have worked through that sense of rejection I felt by his choice, God's choosing to adopt me into His family was the antithesis of this! He chose to be part of my life and visa versa, He chose me as a son, He sought me out and accepted me in the Beloved-how awesome He is! Now tHe is Abba Father- His Spirit testifies within me that I am His son. In His service David PS just want to say thanks to Dr Wilson for doing these studies and for the others being so free with their ideas-this is great

Paul has written to the holy ones (Vs.1) we are holy because of our relationship to God- unique as His special people, set apart from the world, set apart to God, this holiness is only possible because of what Jesus did for us. I think 1 Peter 1:15-16 makes it clear that holiness is more than a state- it requires that we become who we are "in Christ" so we are holy "in Christ" and therefore we must live in a holy way- Peter ties this to our behaviour and so does Paul in Eph chapter 4 onwards with a big "therefore" which I think ties the wonderful blessings of who we are In Christ (chapters 1-3) to how we should walk (live) in Christ. In His service, David

Hi, This being "in Christ" is a very hard thing to understand! I liked the cake analogy, although I think it was demonstarting Christ being in us not us being in Christ ie the water is Christ, the mix is us. I think John 15 is helpful speaking of Christ the true vine and us the branches-the key concept is abiding and the wonderful picture is being connected to Jesus (relationally and spiritually) results in good fruit (ie the implications). John 15 doesnt press the analogy too far, and hopefully I will not go beyond what is written, but the thought of sap (life) flowing from the vine to the branches is wonderful and exactely what happens as we are connected to Jesus through faith ie His life to and through us-apart from Him we can do nothing. This whole concept, whatever way we speak of it, is a mystery! (Eph 5:31-32) This mystery is great in deed, that we are joined to Christ and share in His death and resurection is amazing! (Rom 6:1ff) James Stewart's book a man in Christ is useful for understanding what it means to be "in Christ"...Stewart says "Christ is the redeemed man's new enviroment. He has been lifted out of the cramping restrictions of his earthly lot into a totally diffrent sphere, the sphere of Christ...just as a fish lives in the water and can live nowhere else, so, in Paul's view a Christian...requires the presence of his Master" (p 157) In His service, David