…Blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus …In Whom we have redemption … But now in Christ Jesus made nigh … In Whom …ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of Promise …” Ephesians 1:3, 7, 13; 2:13 KJV
…Blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ … In Him we have redemption … But now in Christ Jesus … brought near … you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise …” Ephesians 1:3, 7, 13; 2:13 NASB
The Ephesian epistle, above all others, shows our position “in Christ” and its attendant blessings. There are at least 14 or 15 “in Christ” or “in Whom” statements in the letter. The truth goes beyond just having these blessings “because of Christ.” To be “in Christ” goes a step beyond “because of Christ” or “through Christ.” The truths connected with those expressions are wonderful in themselves. But to be “in Christ” is the greatest blessing imaginable. It is a position which brings with it every blessing that the infinite, loving heart of God ever desired to give and provides the place of greatest security possible.
Perhaps the best illustration of being “in Christ” is to think of a gift box. When the box comes wrapped and sealed, you know there is something inside, but all you can see is the box. At whatever angle you try to view it, you still cannot see what is inside; you can only see the box.
As poor and as limited as the above illustration is, it does convey the thought that “in Christ” means that when God looks at you and me, all He can see is the “box” or Christ. Whatever angle, whatever view He chooses to take to look at me, He sees Christ. When He looks at us, He sees His Son. He does not see our deficiencies, blemishes, or failure. He sees His Son.
Consider now some of our blessings as a result of being in Christ. We have every spiritual blessing – all spiritual blessings (Eph 1:3), in Christ. It is in Him that we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (1:7). We are accepted in the Beloved (1:6). There is something special about that last expression. We are not only accepted in Christ but also in the Beloved. All that the Father thinks of His Son, all His love and favour, is now how He views and accepts each of us. Contained in the word “beloved” is the thought of being “highly favoured” (Luke 1:28).
To that is added that being in Christ, we have an inheritance (1:11). In Romans, we are told that we are co-heirs with Christ. Being “in Him,” all that is His is ours! We are seen as seated in heavenly places In Christ. We have become fellow heirs and of the promises of God in Christ (3:6). It is a result of being “in Him” that we have boldness and access into the presence of God (3:12).
In all of this, there is suggested a nearness and intimacy that the Father has made possible by placing us in His Son. It is not a matter of God tolerating us and overlooking our blemishes. He can only see Christ when He looks at our position before Him. True, as Father, He does refine us to make us more like His Son, but He sees us positionally in Christ and not merely standing by Christ’s side.
One of our hymns seems to capture the truth in a remarkable manner:
So near, so very near to God
I cannot nearer be
For in the person of His Son
I am as near as He.
So dear, so very dear to God
More dear I cannot be
The love wherewith He loves the Son
Such is His love to me.
Catesby Paget
Consider:
Collect all the “In Christ” and “In Whom” expressions in Ephesians.
