One With Christ

We are in Christ, and Christ is in us. The first truth points upward; the second points downward. We must first be in him with all our being—with our sin and weakness and even with death. We know that in God’s eyes we are freed, redeemed, and saved from these through Christ. Then we must swing above and beyond ourselves to Christ. Yes, we must be totally one with Christ and his people—those who are baptized in him and receive the Lord’s Supper.

Consequently, sin, death, the devil, and struggles with a bad conscience disappear. We can then say, “I’m not sure about death or hell. If there is death, let it consume my Lord Christ first. If there is hell, let it devour my Savior. If sin, the law, or my conscience condemns me, let it accuse the Son of God. If that happens, then let me be condemned, consumed, and devoured with my Lord. But because the Father and Christ live, I also will live. Because Christ remains undefeated by sin and death, I also will remain undefeated. For I know that Christ is in the Father; therefore, I also am in Christ.”

This is how we soar above and beyond ourselves to Christ. After that, Christ comes down to us from above. If we are in Christ, then Christ is in us. We have received him and crept into him. We have left sin, death, and the devil behind. So Jesus shows himself to us and says, “Go. Preach, comfort, and baptize. Serve your neighbor. Be obedient and patient. I will be in you, and I will do all this through you. Whatever you do will be accomplished by me.

Be happy. Be bold and courageous. Remain in me, then I will certainly remain in you.”

Source: Luther, Martin; Galvin, James C. (2009-05-26). Faith Alone: A Daily Devotional (p. 50). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.