Our Life In Christ

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Our Life In Christ

By Malcolm B Heap, Midnight Ministries

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In 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11, Paul expresses the profound truth that we are meant to receive salvation through Jesus Christ and what this entails.

It is not ‘living a good life’ in your own strength and by your own motivation. It is receiving Him into your very being, in union with your inner spirit, so that you are no longer your own. Jesus wants to live IN you.

It is a matter of close relationship and fellowship.

He mentions this often in his letters, invariably by the little phrase "in Him". Jesus has come to live in you – if you will let Him.

Here is a poignant comment about what this entails:

The Pauline concept of life "in Christ" (here "with Him") is an essential aspect of his theology of the Church. The emphasis of these verses is on living a life with Christ which is characterized by the mutual edification of believers.

In the NT the idea of ministering to one another is beautifully expressed in a number of passages. Any Christian would be well advised to meditate upon these principles and seek to make them a part of his life:

1) Wash one another (Jn 13:14).

2) Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love (Rom 12:10).

3) Give preference to one another (Rom 12:10).

4) Be of the same mind toward one another (Rom 12:16).

5) Do not judge [be condemning towards] one another (Rom 14:13).

6) Receive one another [don’t be exclusive or ‘cliquish’] (Rom 15:7).

7) Admonish one another (Rom 15:14).

8) Bear one another’s burdens (Gal 6:2).

9) Comfort and edify (build up) one another (1 Thes 5:11).

10) Confess your trespasses to one another (Jas 5:16).

11) Pray for one another (Jas 5:16).

12) Be hospitable to one another without grumbling (1 Pet 4:9).

13) Be submissive to one another (1 Pet 5:5).

(From NKJV Believer’s Study Bible, footnote on 1 Thes 5:10,11.)

And I would add:

14) That your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment (Phil 1:9).