Moving from being Sprit filled to being Spirit formed is the goal of the NT Church.  For you to be successfully formed in Christ you must embrace your position freely given to you in Christ.  Consider the significance of being “In Christ” and use this discussion to affirm and enhance your understanding of what it means.   If you can believe the promise of your position you will be more able to believe for the grace to properly practice Christian living.  Chapters 1-3 illustrate the Believer’s position after the new birth as “In Christ.” 

The following statements in bold print are taken from Ephesians 1&2 and refer to our position “in Christ” as Believers.  Attempt to restate the importance of each aspect of being in Christ, and the effect this has on living out your faith. 

1:3…blessed with spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ…  (I have access to the Lord and His eternal Kingdom / I have an upward looking faith)

1.4. Chosen… (I am desired by the Lord for the purpose of relationship)

1.5. Adopted… (God has made me His child & I can be confident I am loved even  when I feel differently )

1.6. Accepted in the Beloved… (I am in a love relationship as His child & His acceptance by the Father is shared with me)

1.7. In Him we have redemption… (I am bought out of sin and a corrupted destiny to His eternal purpose for my life)

1.10. Joined with others in Christ… (I have a Kingdom based family…I have brothers and sisters)

1.11. Inheritance… (I have received the inheritance of His righteousness)

1.13. Sealed by the Holy Spirit… (My position is durable and not subject to my behavioral wavering although it is my conviction that where there is no faith there is no salvation)

2.5 made alive together… (I & my new brothers and sisters have received a new source of life, and it is the same source of life that raised Jesus from the dead… We have become brethren)

2.6 raised and seated in Christ… (The resurrection power of the Lord has impacted my life and I have a position of rest in Him… In Christ there the part of me that is connected to Him gives my a place of rest in the presence of the Lord)

2.7 Kindness… (God has shown me the ultimate kindness by giving me a costly salvation at no charge)

2.10 Created in Christ Jesus for good works… (The work of regeneration in my life has remade me into a servant of the Lord doing good works that reflect my new nature…I am a part of the great Kingdom plan to redeem people and then use them to further advance the Kingdom of God) 

2.13. Brought near by the blood of Christ… (My access to the Lord is paid for by the sacrifice of Christ alone…I am completely acceptable to come close to the Lord through the shed blood of Christ)

2.16. Reconcile them both to God…in one body…(People very  different than me, people I have been prejudiced against, and even my former enemies are offered the same reconciliation with God I have received… It is this bringing together of former polar opposites that God uses to show the world His nature alive in His church)  

2.18. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father… (Continuing the idea of polar opposites being in the Body of Christ together, Paul further explains our equal access by the Holy Spirit to the Father.)

2.21&22. in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. (God’s temple is a place where the Almighty interacts with His servants, and demonstrates His glory to the world… Believers are now a both habitation and Spirit dispensing center for the Lord to use in the world.)

               Consider the differences and make comparisons of being IN a family, being IN a store, visiting IN a 
                home, and being IN Christ.   As you consider the differences keep in mind the “In Christ” phrases 
                examined and attach each phrase to one of the seven aspects of being In Christ below.    

            What kind of experiences do you have with reconciliation with former enemies?

·        Do you still remember what you have been brought out of since coming to Christ?  It is
helpful in reconciling with others to understand that we also needed reconciliation with the Lord. 

·        Can you share a story of your own personal experience with reconciliation with a former
enemy or a person who was your polar opposite?  Chris Porter, a now deceased close friend
had offended me through backsliding and rejecting me.  My heart was still hard and bitter in some
subtle ways, and I internally consigned him to the judgments of God.  When He repented I was
convicted in my heart that I was bitter and my heart was closed to working with the Lord in His
desire for reconciliation of people.  God delivered me from bitterness, and used me to hold out hope, |
and eventually be a part of restoring another friend back to the Lord.  

·        Are there enemies or former friends that we can agree together in prayer for the Lord to bring
them into all He has for them?  Would be willing to have them in church with you, and would
you be willing to disciple them?