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NASB | 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. |
Bible Question:
What does it mean to be "in Christ?" Although this is the verse that may most often come to mind, there are many other references to consider . . . any comments or observations? |
Bible Answer: To be “in christ” may mean to be in the church, maybe. The church is his body (Eph 5:23;Col 1:18;Col 1:24). It also means that our lives are merged into his. I do not doubt that some who read this may have their doubts, Mommapbs, but I think you understand. First of all, we are not thinking about Christ in the flesh. Your passage tells us that “we know no man after the flesh: (not even Christ) yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him (like that) no more”. We are a part of his kingdom, his system, his agenda, because he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. We do not live for ourselves anymore. We live for him. Lord, Let it be so. All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ. We are dead, and our life is hid with Christ in God. I hope that this says a little about what it means in terms of what the phrase signifies. I hope it also says a little of what it involves in terms of the change it makes in our lives. We are baptized into him. We die to ourselves and live for him. We are hid away with Christ in God. And this is all God's will. He wants to gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him. Amen. |