Being in Him
Be committed to Him, be in union with Him, be at oneness with Him, be like-minded
with Him. Paul tells us this in Philippians 2:2-5 “Fulfill you my joy, that you be like-
minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be
done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem, others
better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also
on the things of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus”.
Throughout the Scriptures, we are referred to as the body of Christ, the bride of
Christ, Ephesians 5:30-32 says “for we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of
His bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be
joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery; but I
speak concerning Christ and the church”. We are to walk together with Christ in one
accord, Ephesians 5:1-11, 15-20 gives us some details, verse 1 and 2 says “Be you
therefore followers of God, as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has
loved us, and has given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice of God, for a sweet
smelling savor”. In verses 3-11 tells us what to avoid in our life, in verses 15-20 tells
us how to walk. In I Corinthians 2:16 tells us “but we have the mind of Christ”, If we
consider what would Jesus do, and if you “walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill
the lust of the flesh”.
Paul tells us not to associate with believers who walk as the world (I Corinthians 5:9-
11) he says “I wrote to you in an epistle not to company (associate) with fornicators:
yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous or
extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must you needs go out of the world. But not I
have written to you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a
fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner;
with such an one no not to eat”. This is what Jesus told us this in Matthew 18:17
“and if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it to the church, but if he neglect to hear the
church, let him be to you as an heathen man and a publican”.
A lot of people think that because they know about Jesus, they are saved and in Him,
but the Bible says “you believe that there is one God; you do well, the devils also
believe, and tremble”. We have to confess Jesus as Lord, and Lord means, He is the
ruler over our lives.
The Bible tells us to put on the new man (Ephesians 4:22-32), indicating we have a
responsibility in this. God has made available to us, those who would help us in this
(Ephesians 4:11-13) “and He gave some, apostles, and some prophets, and some
evangelists, and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the
work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Till we all come in the unity
of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the
measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”.
Jesus says “not every one that says to Me, Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdom of
heaven; but he that does the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to
Me in that day, Lord Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name? And in Your name
have cast out devils, and in Your name done many wonderful works. And then will I
profess to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:
21-23). As you see, these were believers who claimed to be in Him, however, used
grace to live their lives as they wanted instead of following Christ. Jesus tells us how
to be in Him (John 15;7-10) “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you shall
ask what you will, and it shall be done to you. Herein is My Father glorified, that you
bear much fruit; so shall you be My disciples. As the Father has loved Me, so have I
loved you; continue you in My love. If you keep My commandments, you shall abide
in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love”. A
true conversion will show signs of a changed life.
Being in Him, is the key to a lot of benefits. The Bible tells us many times in Him, in
Whom, in Christ; what is available to us. But being in Him is more than speaking
Jesus as Lord, we have to speak this out of our heart. God said “forasmuch as this
people draw near Me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor Me, but have
removed their heart far from Me” (Isaiah 29:13).
We have to surrender our life, and let Jesus live His life through us (Romans 12;1-2)
“I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world, but be you transformed by the renewing of your
mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of
God”. Remember Romans 8;29 “for whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate
to be conformed to the image of His Son”. The image of His Son, is like-minded with
His Son.
Sermon by: Harriet Bond
Date: November 24, 2006