By Bro. Eng Kim Leng
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” Eph 1:3
The Bible abounds in teachings about blessings that accrue to those in Christ. These blessings are not only of a material nature (that is certainly not excluded as God equips us and provides for us), but spiritual. In fact, Eph 1:3 tells us that we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places.
In this article, we shall consider:
- What it means to be ‘in Christ’
- What are some of the blessings?
- What happens when one is not in Christ or ‘without Christ’?
How Does One Get to be ‘In Christ?’
“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptised into Christ have put on Christ.” (Gal 3:26-27)
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Eph 1:7
Scriptures teach that we put on Christ or become in Christ by way of baptism (into His death), and thereafter we are added to the church, which is His body. Following baptism, the old man in us is crucified with Christ, and we arise to walk in newness of life, having our sins washed away. Paul in 2 Cor 5:17 explains, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new,” Being new brings with it many blessings, and Paul throughout his writings remind us that we are recipients of them all. Only through our obedience to the gospel call by way of baptism (for the remission of sin) can we get in-to Christ. ‘Believe’ is important but belief alone is not sufficient. James 2:19 says, even the devils believe and tremble, but clearly, they are not saved. Often the argument in favour of ‘faith alone’ centres on verses like Acts 16:31, which reads, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household,” but overlooks that following belief, they were immediately baptised (Acts 16:33). James asks a rhetorical question in James 2:14, “Can faith alone save?” He answers that faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead (James 2:17).
The book of Acts records numerous conversions, and in every case, baptism is presented as the culminating act of faith. The invitation of the gospel is that everyone who believes and obeys His word in baptism for the forgiveness of sin is saved.
Blessings From Being ‘In Christ’
Ephesians 1:3 encapsulates the profound promise that all spiritual blessings flow from being in Christ, things that pertain to salvation, relationship with God, and eternal life. The word “every” emphasises completeness. Nothing is withheld. The subsequent verses in Ephesians 1 highlight these blessings:
- adopted as sons (v.5),
- redemption and the forgiveness of sins (v.7),
- knowledge of God’s will (v.9),
- an inheritance (v.11), and
- the Holy Spirit as a seal (v.13-14).
“In Christ” is the qualifier that appears repeatedly throughout Ephesians. These blessings are not general gifts but are specifically located in Christ, a relationship that grants access through participating in His death, resurrection, and exaltation.
The fullness of spiritual blessing, not as future hope only, but as present reality, is found only in Christ. This establishes the foundation for the rest of Ephesians, which explores how this spiritual position should transform earthly living.
The apostle Peter similarly declares, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3). Everything necessary for our spiritual life comes through Christ and our relationship with Him.
What Happens When One is Without Christ?
One way of appreciating what it means to be “in Christ” and the benefits that flow from it is to understand what it means to be without Christ. The world may not know the consequences of being out of Christ, because they are ignorant of what blessings they forfeit from being out of Christ. Without Christ:
- We are separated from God: We remain dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1), alienated from the life of God (Ephesians 4:18), and cut off from the reconciliation Christ offers.
- We are under sin: Without Christ as our righteousness, we face God’s just judgment for sin. We are unjustified. As John 3:36 says, “Whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”
- We have no access to grace or peace from God: Romans 5:1-2 teaches that only through Christ do we have peace with God and access to His grace. Outside of Him, that access remains closed.
- We are powerless over sin: Without Christ, we lack the power to overcome sin’s dominion (Romans 8:2), remaining enslaved to it.
Being out of Christ includes those who do not obey the will of the Lord. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matt 7:21. Entering the kingdom of heaven involves doing God’s will. ‘In Christ’ is not a one-time effort. It is a continual walk with Christ. In Acts 2:42, right after the disciples’ baptism, the Bible teaches, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” This steadfastness is exhorted by Jesus in Matt 28:20, “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you,” with the key word ‘observe’, thus the need to put into practice (to do) that which we have been commanded.
Remaining in Christ
Being in Christ is not the end of our journey but the beginning. We must remain in Him to continue enjoying these blessings. Jesus taught, “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).
We remain in Christ through faithful obedience, continued growth, regular worship with the saints, participation in the Lord’s Supper, prayer, and service to others. John wrote, “Whoever keeps His commandments abides in God, and God in him” (1 John 3:24).
In Closing
The blessings we have in Christ are immeasurable and eternal. Forgiveness of sins, adoption as God’s children, hope of eternal life, peace with God, access to the Father, and ongoing transformation, all these and more are ours in Christ Jesus.
These blessings are found exclusively in Christ, and we must enter through faith expressed in obedience to His gospel. Peter proclaimed, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
If you are not yet in Christ through faith, repentance, and baptism, I urge you to respond to God’s gracious gift today. If you are already in Christ, rejoice in the abundance of blessings you have received and commit yourselves to remain faithful to Him who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing.