Today we continue to “renew/refresh our minds” (Rom.12:2) of the “doctrine of positional truth, in Christ.” The truth about our position, our identity that we received from God the father, the moment we trusted in Christ as our Substitute Redeemer. Jesus Christ who redeemed us from sin, and delivered us from the power of darkness, (Col.1:13) and purchased our redemption with his blood. We now are in position to please God. We have been justified, sanctified & exalted. We have been “accepted in the beloved,” (Eph. 1:6) “we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph.1:3)
We are now “justified freely by His grace” (saved & declared righteous) unto eternal life, & cannot be lost, “nothing can separate us from the love of God,” we are sealed w/ the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption (Rom. 3:24; 8:39; Eph. 1:13-14). As you may recall our dear Bro. Blades would often remind us that the “Key” that gives us the liberty to live a successful functionally alive, grace life, depends upon if we really understand, and appreciate, who God has made us to be in Christ.
After we get a good understanding of who we are in Christ, then we must allow the word of God to effectually work in our inner man. Renewing our minds, building up an edifice of doctrine that produces the life of Christ. That is putting on Christ Saints! Then we’ll be able to think like God, the father, walk like God, the Son, and co-labor with God, the Holy Spirit!
(A) In 1 Cor. 15:22, Paul refers to the 2 federal heads: “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” The best way to understand and appreciate our position/identity is to compare our identity “in Christ” to our identity “in Adam.” When Adam sinned in Genesis 2 all these things began to manifest themselves. In Genesis 5, Adam procreates children after his likeness, and we inherited his sinful nature before God. And that brought about CONDEMNATION, ABOMINATION & ALIENATION to humanity!
(B) IN ADAM: our Identity was: *CONDEMNATION = 1. We were under sin, 2. with no righteousness that God’s justice could or would accept. 3. We were enemies of God. IN ADAM: *ABOMINATION (disgusting) = 1. We were servants of sin. 2. We were dead to righteousness. 3. We walked according to the course of this world. IN ADAM our Identity was: *ALIENATION =1. We were uncircumcised Gentiles in the flesh! 2. We belonged to Satan. 3. We were good citizens of Satan’s Kingdom.
(C) “BUT NOW,” IN THE FULLNESS OF OUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST, under gr: JUSTIFICATION = 1. Forgiveness of all sins. 2. Christ imputed righteousness to our account. 3. Permanent atonement with God & we are at peace with God. IN CHRIST, SANCTIFICATION = 1. We are dead to sin. 2. Alive unto God. 3. Sons of God. IN CHRIST, IN THE FULLNESS OF OUR ID WITH CHRIST, We have been EXALTED – 1. We have a heavenly vocation/calling, with a special impact in heavenly places. 2. Our citizenship is in Christ’s heavenly Kingdom. 3. We are the one new man. We are made the glory of God, in Christ.
UNDER GRACE: a. Justification has replaced condemnation. b. Sanctification has replaced abomination. c. Exaltation has replaced alienation. (D) And finally Paul says, since you know who you are, walk worthy of your glorious, exalted position in Christ. “For ye were sometimes darkness but now, are ye light in the Lord, so walk as sons (grown sons), We are Saints, walk as complete in Christ, walk as children of light. Let us walk (live) in the details of our lives, true to who we are in Christ, and true to what God is doing today! And Remember saints, we have an unseen audience, the angels are watching & they desire to see the manifold wisdom (eternal purpose) on display in our daily lives. TO GOD BE THE GLORY, FOR OUR IDENTIFICATION IN CHRIST!
Colman J. Gilliland 