'In Christ' or 'Christ in You'?

A recent study of Ephesians, chapter 1 got me thinking: "Have we evangelicals so emphasized asking Jesus into our hearts, that we've under-emphasized the importance of being 'in Christ'?"

It's a distinction with important ramifications.

Here are some thoughts from Dr. Klyne Snodgrass (North Park Theological Seminary):

"The idea of being 'in Christ' presents one of the most difficult bridging tasks in Ephesians.  How could early Christians think they were 'in' a person who had been alive with them only a few years earlier and whose brothers they knew?  They did not speak of being in James, nor do we speak of being in John Wesley or Martin Luther.  The difficulty in our comprehending the idea of being in Christ is compounded by typical evangelical language about conversion.  Christians today usually speak of inviting Christ into their hearts in order to be able to go to heaven, but language about 'Christ being in us' and a concern over our going to heaven are relatively rare in the Bible, especially in Paul." (in Ephesians, TNIVAC, p. 56)

Apart from biblical references like Colossians 1:27 ("...this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory"), and the obvious nuances of free will and choice associated with inviting Christ into our hearts -- it seems that we evangelicals have failed in sufficiently recognizing how modernism and individualism have likely influenced why we place such emphasis on Christ living within us rather than the other way around.  We evangelicals are fairly notorious for giving altar calls and urging people to "invite Jesus into their lives" rather than urging people to begin living "in" Christ.

And this we do, even though English is replete with idioms and colloquialisms that speak of our being "in" a variety of things, such as:

• What are you in-to?
• I'm in a heap of trouble.
• Are you in, or out?
• Count me in!
• She was in the zone.

Of course, there are figures of speech which draw on things being in us as well:

• What's gotten into you?
• He really got inside my head.

All of this points to an important paradox: not only does Christ live within us, but we are to live in Christ. "On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you." (John 14:20,NRSV) When we limit our focus to Christ living in us, we risk:

• Subtly conveying to people that they have more power and influence in their relationship with God than they actually possess.
• Underestimating the power of God's prevenient grace at work in our lives.
• Reinforcing the notion that our faith is meant to be interior and private, rather than lived out-in-the-open-with-others.

What would happen if... when sharing the good news of Jesus with people -- we urged them to begin living "in" Christ rather than simply asking Christ to live "in" them?  What would happen if, at their baptism, we reminded them that they have chosen to live "in" a new reality, a new community, a new way of living?

Maybe we'd see more discipleship and less easy-believism.

Maybe we'd consider Christianity a journey we take with others rather than a private exercise.

Maybe we'd manifest more "fruit befitting repentance"; more outward works bearing witness to our faith.

Maybe we'd see Christians out in the world making new disciples and teaching them -- and it being the "norm" instead of the "exception".

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I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

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Picture credit: Google images

Comments

[Brian Monroe]

Hmmmm... Personally I think that being "in Christ" is a little to difficult. It's so much easier when I think of Jesus being in MY life. Cause that means he's blessing ME... MY car, MY surround sound, MY girlfriend.... and you know... I think religion should be about ME. *sarcasm*
No but seriously... I think the Church needs to get back to the "in Christ" mentality. That would totally help combat extreme individualism that’s running rampant in our culture. If we can't even0 do that, I think the Church deserves to die. We're supposed to be this awesome counter-cultural movement. Actually I kinda hope it does die. Die to ourselves so were forced to make real sacrifices again. We can't even go through our services without fueling OUR Starbucks caffeine addictions. A little selfless thinking would be a breath of fresh air in the stinky hospitals we call our Churches.

Heheh... Wow... I think this might be hitting a bit of a sore spot with me... =P

[Chris]

Brian, you're obviously resonating with our need to reorientate the way we convey what it means to be "Christian".

"Die to ourselves so were forced to make real sacrifices again. "

I'd like to hear more about this.

Blessings.

[Mark Eberly]

Chris,
Your comments resonate with me and my journey. Many years ago, I was "convicted" through a variety of experiences, studies, conversations, and so that I needed to "sign off" with the words "In Christ." A large part of this has to do with being a recovered alcoholic so that through my daily "conscience contacts with God" (step 11), I am seeking to be in Christ's life. I am seeking to live his life (following Jesus). I am seeking to be in his Way (interesting double meaning--take it how you want).

Additionally the sign off is a reminder that I am "in (the body of) Christ." Thus this adds another dimension of koinonia to my identification.

I guess it resembles the practice of signing off public prayers by "praying in the name of Jesus" (which is also a common ritualistic practice of mine). Each time I can choose to cruise through it on automatic pilot or I can intentionally seek to remind myself of the significance of the action including where God has brought me from, where we are in this journey, and where God is leading us.

I look forward to hearing from others. I'm sure that it will help broaden and deepen my understanding here. Just maybe some of Chris' "maybes" might actually become "truly, truly's."

In Christ,
Mark

[Karin]

I am seeking to be in his Way (interesting double meaning--take it how you want).

Have you seen the CPT (Christian Peacemaker Teams) logo? It's a pair of sandaled feet with Getting in the Way written over the top.

[Dana Ames]

Good post, Chris.

I think figuring out as best we can what Paul's hearers would have understood is the first step. This is the tremendous service that NT Wright and others have given the church in these last 20-30 years. Recovering the Jewish framework and ideas about being in the Messiah expands the richness of it.

I love the big picture!

Dana

[Chris]

"This is the tremendous service that NT Wright and others have given the church in these last 20-30 years. Recovering the Jewish framework and ideas about being in the Messiah expands the richness of it."

Yes, it certainly does. Kind of reminds me of that ancient rabbinical saying: "may you be covered in the dust of your rabbi."

[B. Cooper]

Good thoughts here. It makes me think sometimes we try to convert Jesus to be an American rather than us converting to Christianity. If Christ is in me than I am an American Christian, which seems to be a paradox these days, or I leave my rights of citizenship behind and become a Christian. I don't have to think to long to know which is the easiest route to take.

[B. Cooper]

Chris,

By the way, I put a post on my blog dealing with a section of Rev. 9, would love to hear your thoughts.

[Seraphim]

such a broad paint brush. it is always interesting to me when folk go on about the asking Jesus into your heart, as if there is no biblical warrant for the language.

Romans 10:9 & 10 says:

(Rom 10:9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

(Rom 10:10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Not to mention these words of Jesus in Revelation:

(Rev 3:20) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Salvation the door to life, is not just individualistic, nor is it just corporate. It must be both. In John 3 with Nicodemus and John 4 with the Samaratin Woman the words were to the Individual:

"You must be born from above" "when he comes he will tell us all things -- I am he"

I also think, that pretty quickly the early church understood just who Jesus was and claimed to be. They would be infinitely more familar with the Isaiah prophecies and just who it was the 'voice in the wilderness' was proclaiming. That Jesus was not 'just' a man, but God in whom we 'live and move and have our being'.

Salvation, like all else in the Kingdom works if you have the eschatological tension of the Kingdom now - but not yet.

Jesus Saves Individuals and Saved individuals need each other - the Body of Christ - to do the work of the Kingdom and to grow into the likeness of Christ.

I'shalom - God's peace

Seraphim