Blessings to you, the readers of this page, in Jesus Christ our
Lord. May He guide you and protect you always.
"O Holy Spirit, Enter Within Me," by Rev. Bill McGinnis
HTML page with lyrics at
https://loveallpeople.org/oholyspirit.html
Our Mystical Union With Christ is the state in which the believer is "in Christ" and Christ is "in the believer." This is what Jesus means when He says, "In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you." (John 14:20) and "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:4-5)
This refers to the actual spiritual presence of Christ inside us, as well as our actual spiritual presence inside Him. This mutual indwelling of His Spirit in us and our spirit in Him occurs when we freely choose to accept Him, inviting Him into our lives as our personal Lord and Saviour. As He says . . .
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20)
You can do this here and now by following the instructions at https://loveallpeople.org/jesusdirect.html
The Apostle Paul confirms that Jesus actually lives within His believers, when he says . . .
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)
"Faith in Christ"And we know that believing in Him is the main requirement for becoming a Christian and obtaining eternal salvation, as shown in John 3:16 and Romans 10:9, below:Bible, Revised Standard Version 6 matches. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Acts.24 [24] After some days Felix came with his wife Drusil'la, who was a Jewess; and he sent for Paul and heard him speak upon faith in Christ Jesus. Gal.2 [16] yet who know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. Phil.3 [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, based on law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith; Col.1 [4] because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which you have for all the saints, Col.2 [5] For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. 2Tim.3 [15] and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
(Note that "believing in Him" not only means "believing that Jesus existed" or "believing that everything He said is true," but also means accepting Him as your own personal Lord and Saviour, and relying on Him constantly for your guidance, protection, and support - that is, having faith in Him.)"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16 (RSV) "because, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." - Romans 10:9 (RSV)
But there are more than eighty Biblical references to "in Christ" which do not mention either faith in Him or belief in him, but simply "in Christ." So what does "in Christ" really mean" And why is it mentioned so frequently in the Bible?
The words "in Christ" mean that the believer is in a state of mystical union with Christ, in which the believer is "in Christ" and Christ is "in the believer." This is what Jesus meant when he said . . . "In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you." (John 14:20) and "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." (John 15:4)
NOTE: "Abide in me, and I in you." means "Live in me, and I in you."
And the reason these words appear so frequently in the Bible is that the early Christians must have considered this mystical union with Christ to be perhaps the most important part of their Christian life!
So here are all of the Biblical refences to "in Christ,"not including references to "faith in Christ." All of these cases refer to Our Mystical Union With Christ.
Here is an excellent article by Frederica Mathewes-Green which adds more information about Our Mystical Union With Christ: => http://www.beliefnet.com/story/43/story_4340_1.htmlBible, Revised Standard Version More than 80 cases of "in Christ," not including references to "faith in Christ." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rom.3 [24] they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, Rom.6 [11] So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. [23] For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom.8 [1] There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. [2] For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death. [39] nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom.9 [1] I am speaking the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit, Rom.12 [5] so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Rom.15 [17] in Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. Rom.16 [3] Greet Prisca and Aq'uila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, [7] Greet Androni'cus and Ju'nias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners; they are men of note among the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. [9] Greet Urba'nus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. [10] Greet Apel'les, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobu'lus. 1Cor.1 [2] To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: [4] I give thanks to God always for you because of the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, [30] He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption; 1Cor.3 [1] But I, brethren, could not address you as spiritual men, but as men of the flesh, as babes in Christ. 1Cor.4 [10] We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. [15] For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. [17] Therefore I sent to you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church. 1Cor.15 [18] Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. [19] If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied. [22] For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. [31] I protest, brethren, by my pride in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! 1Cor.16 [24] My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. 2Cor.1 [21] But it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has commissioned us; 2Cor.2 [14] But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumph, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. [17] For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word; but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. 2Cor.5 [17] Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come. [19] that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 2Cor.12 [2] I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven -- whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. [19] Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves before you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. Gal.2 [4] But because of false brethren secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy out our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage -- [17] But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! Gal.3 [14] that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. [26] for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. [28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal.5 [6] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any avail, but faith working through love. Eph.1 [1] Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are also faithful in Christ Jesus: [3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, [9] For he has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ [12] we who first hoped in Christ have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of his glory. [20] which he accomplished in Christ when he raised him from the dead and made him sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, Eph.2 [6] and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. [13] But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ. Eph.3 [6] that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. [11] This was according to the eternal purpose which he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, [21] to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen. Eph.4 [32] and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Phil.1 [1] Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philip'pi, with the bishops and deacons: [26] so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. Phil.2 [1] So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, [5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, Phil.3 [3] For we are the true circumcision, who worship God in spirit, and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh. [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Phil.4 [7] And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [19] And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. [21] Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. Col.1 [2] To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ at Colos'sae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. [28] Him we proclaim, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man mature in Christ. 1Thes.2 [14] For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus which are in Judea; for you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, 1Thes.4 [16] For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel's call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first; 1Thes.5 [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1Tim.1 [14] and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 1Tim.3 [13] for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2Tim.1 [1] Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus, [9] who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not in virtue of our works but in virtue of his own purpose and the grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus ages ago, [13] Follow the pattern of the sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus; 2Tim.2 [1] You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, [10] Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus with its eternal glory. 2Tim.3 [12] Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, Phlm.1 [6] and I pray that the sharing of your faith may promote the knowledge of all the good that is ours in Christ. [8] Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, [20] Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. [23] Ep'aphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, Heb.3 [14] For we share in Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end, 1Pet.3 [16] and keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are abused, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 1Pet.5 [10] And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you. [14] Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you that are in Christ.
You, too, can have this Mystical Union With Christ (if you don't already have it), by following the instructions at https://loveallpeople.org/jesusdirect.html
Here is a typical prayer you can pray to accept Him . . .
"Lord Jesus, I give myself to You, for You to be my only Lord and Saviour. I renounce and repudiate all other loyalties, and I desire no other Lord but You. Please come into me and take control of my life. Mold me to Your will and to Your use. I ask that You drive out all other spirits which conflict with You in any way. I want to belong only to You, to be subject only to You. I make this prayer to You, in Your name, the name of Jesus. Amen."
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See more pages like this, at our Index of Pearls Of Faith, a treasury of Biblical truths.
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Blessings to you. May God help us all.
Rev. Bill McGinnis, Director - LoveAllPeople.org
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