By Tony Williams
In the first chapter of Ephesians, Paul emphasizes the benefits, both spiritually and physically, of being in Christ. He begins in verse one by addressing the saints in Ephesus who are faithful in Christ Jesus. Here he states that these saints are in Him. Paul uses this phrase one hundred seventy-six times in his writings, thirty-six times in Ephesians alone. It is understood that in Him, in Christ, is the cornerstone and foundation of Paul’s theology. He continues in verse 7 by saying “in Him we have the redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our sins, by His grace.” I think it is appropriate that Paul leads off with this first “in him” statement because it is the result of the greatest gift that God has given to man.
In verse 11, Paul goes on to say that in Him also we have obtained an inheritance. Further, verse 12 states that we who first trusted in Christ, (in Him) should be to the praise of His Glory.
Verses 13-14 also state that “in Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”
The blessings listed in this epistle belong exclusively to those who have been baptized into Christ. There is absolutely no other way in the New Testament through which anyone can claim they are in Christ. Without being In Him, one is without any of these blessings, including the forgiveness of sins. The question is, are you in Him?