I would like to take you on a journey. This journey changed my whole perspective on what it means to be IN CHRIST. It changed my whole perspective on the meaning of 1 John 4:17, "As Jesus is, so are we in this world." So sit back, relax, and enjoy this journey with me.
About 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ laid down His life on a cross to pay for the sins of the whole world. Right before He died, He said, "It is finished." His work was done. He was now able to stop working and rest. In fact, as soon as Jesus Christ returned to heaven, He sat down at the right hand of the Father and is now resting, because all of His enemies are under His footstool. Jesus Christ is now resting in heaven next to His Father, waiting for the Father to tell Him it is time to get His bride.
Now picture this. You just realized who Jesus Christ was. You just realized why Jesus Christ came to this earth. You then accepted Him as your Savior. You have never felt so loved. You have never felt so free. All of your guilt fell away. You are now saved eternally to live forever with Jesus Christ! What a glorious day it is!
All of heaven rejoiced because of you. All of heaven rejoiced with you. But here is what you didn't see, but what heaven saw. The moment you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, that very moment you were put into Christ. You are now seated IN CHRIST in heaven next to the Father. You are as loved by the Father as Jesus is. Rest, love, joy, and peace are yours in Christ. Victory for every one of your battles is in Christ. You are surrounded by God's favor in Christ. All of God's blessings are yours in Christ. In fact, everything you will ever need, want, or desire is in Christ. Are you jumping for joy yet?
Now picture this. Something has just upset you. It's troubling you. It's making you worry. Your soul has become restless. You didn't see it, but all of heaven did. The moment your soul became restless, you stood up. The moment you stood up, you got out of IN CHRIST. The moment you got out of in Christ, you stopped trusting Him. You are now trusting in youself to come up with a solution.
As soon as you realize you have stood up, stop yourself, and sit back down. It might take you awhile at first, but you will get faster at recognizing when you have stood up. The moment you realize you have stood up, tell your soul to sit down (to stop being restless). Tell Jesus what has troubled you and let it go. When you do this, you are telling Jesus you are trusting He will take care of it all. Then remind your soul of all the benefits you have IN CHRIST. In fact, keep telling your soul these benefits until you feel your soul calming down and resting in Christ once again. The safest place for a child of God is IN CHRIST.
