Well, it has been good to get your minds on the two subjects: 1) “WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE IN CHRIST?” and 2) “IS “IN CHRIST” EQUAL TO BEING “IN THE TEACHING OF CHRIST?” It was hoped that the reader would truly give deep thought to these two questions. Perhaps you had never even thought about either.
In this last article on these two subjects, it is not our intention to reach a conclusion but to get your mind to give the necessary time and attention to thinking and study! If we are studying, we are giving ourselves the opportunity to grow spiritually and come to a better understanding of the New Testament. This should be the aim of all of us!
Here are two things to think about: 1) we know that abiding in “the teaching of Christ” brings fellowship with God, the Father and the Son” (2 John 9) and 2) is this also true of those who are “in Christ?” Paul wrote that we are “baptized into Christ” (Gal. 3:17). Therefore, if we have obeyed “the gospel of Christ,” (Rom.1:16), then, we have been “baptized into Christ.” Not only this but Paul went on to write in the same verse, that if we have been “baptized into Christ,” then, we have “have put on Christ.” Therefore, the real question is this: “Is abiding in the teaching (doctrine) of Christ,’ which produces fellowship with God the Father and the Son, equal to being “into Christ” and having “put on Christ?”
Give thought to this, is fellowship with God the Father and the Son, brought about by our being “baptized into Christ” and having “put on Christ?” This must be true! How could one be “in Christ” and not be in “fellowship with God the Father and the Son?” How could one, who has “put on Christ, “not have fellowship with God the Father and the Son?” Let me answer the first question: “How could one be ‘baptized into Christ’ and not be in ‘fellowship with God the Father and the Son?” If a person who was, as in the past, has been “baptized into Christ,” then, becomes unfaithful, thus, having “put off Christ,” and no longer “abides in the teaching of Christ.” However, it is to be noted, that such a person no longer “abideth not in the doctrine of Christ;” whereby John wrote that such a person: “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God;” is a person who “hath not God!” It stands, therefore, that such a person no longer is one who has Christ on, as in a “put on Christ” state. One can get lost in this going and coming but if we can see the person who no longer abides in “the teaching of Christ,” taking off his clothes, as he stops abiding in “the teaching of Christ;” then, we are seeing the right action.
This complete subject goes back to “obeying the gospel,” even though some among us no longer view this as important! Here is what happens: 1) a person hearing the report, the word of God, then, believes it is gospel (Mark 16:15, 16): this person believes “that God is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6), that Jesus is the Son of God (John 8:24), believes that the gospel is God’s power “unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16) (and other things, yes, other things.); 2) now believing the gospel of Christ, he is brought to repent, a change of mind which leads him to a change in life (Acts 17:30-31), as he now believes that he will answer to God in the final judgment; 3) he is now ready to vow in his heart/mind that he is subject to Christ, that his loyalty belongs to Christ, that this loyalty is found only in obeying the commandments of Christ, as Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15); 4) this person is now prepared to follow the commands of the apostles of Christ, who said: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Here is the person of who Paul wrote: “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27). Here is the person who “abides in the teaching of Christ,” here is the person who has “fellowship with God the Father and the Son.”
This point must not be missed when covering the subjects of “into Christ” and “put on Christ.” Remember that we are “baptized into Christ,” and at this time we “put on Christ.” Here are Paul’s words: “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27). As the subject is one of being “baptized,” it is directly related to the remission of past sins, in fact, all the sins that we have committed before this point in our lives. These sins are washed away, they are no longer in the mind of God and will never be in the mind of God again! In this we can see ourselves rapped in the arms of Christ, as we are “baptized into Christ” and “have put on Christ.” Salvation is the subject, that is salvation, as in being saved from past sins!
As we conclude, consider this, is the person who has “put on Christ,” the same person who “abides in the teaching of Christ?” Yes, he is! Therefore, as a person becomes unfaithful to “the teaching of Christ,” he is taking off, as in taking off clothes, “Christ!” Yes, we have gone in a circle, but we have come back to the same place we started, or there is no circle! The full circle equals fellowship with “God the Father and the Son” and this equals salvation! There is nothing greater but heaven; however, being in heaven depends on the completed circle!
Frank R. Williams