It is here we ask that the reader recall the thoughts of the first five articles. To be sure such is a daunting task! As we study the subject under which we have written, it is good to recall the words of Jesus: “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matt. 7:14). In other words, only a few souls/spirits will seek out the “strait” gate with its “narrow” way in order to be saved! This is because of the nature of the strait and narrow!
May we just here, put the “all spiritual blessings,” with Paul’s words to Timothy, as they also tell us what God has done: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). God has not left out one thing that we need in being pleasing and acceptable to him “in Christ!” Do you count these as spiritual blessings? If not, you should! God has already given all these things to mankind that are needed to be acceptable to him and to get us “in Christ!” In the words of Christ, “the teaching of Christ,” God has given all that “thoroughly furnished” us, “unto all good works!” The “good works” which are acceptable to God are all “in Christ!” Oh, we have been so blessed! Do you count these as spiritual blessings? If not, you should! God has already given all these things to mankind and as a child of God, we are enjoying them now!
Much more could and should be written about the subject of what it means to be “in Christ!” After all, God saw fit to give us twenty-seven “books” to cover the subject! At the same time, we must not “divorce” ourselves from the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament! For as Paul wrote: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Rom. 15:4). However, we must move on in our study.
We have arrived at the place and time to answer the all-important question: “How does one get into Christ?” After all, if we could understand all there is to understand about what it means to be “in Christ,” yet it would not benefit us, if we did not know how to get “into Christ!” All that we might know about the blessings that come from being “in Christ,” would all be/would go for nothing; if we do not know how to get “into Christ!” Paul answers our question: “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27). Let us back up one verse, which reads: “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Why were the “we” of the text children of God? Please notice that verse twenty-seven begins with that little word “For” and this is the Greek word “gar,” which is “A primary particle; properly assigning a reason.” (Strong). What is the reason “ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus?” It is that “we have all been baptized into Christ” and with that, we have “put on Christ!” Yes, here it is! No one who has not been “baptized into Christ,” has “put on Christ” and there is no salvation to anyone who has not “put on Christ!” Of course, it is understood, that those who are not accountable are not under such words! It is so sad that so many, even the majority, refuse to accept the words of Christ as the Holy Spirit put them in the “pen” of Paul! It is not that the words are hard to understand, but it is that a doctrine, other than that of Christ, has been believed and accepted beforehand! Such people have hardened their hearts against “the gospel of Christ,” which is God’s power unto salvation (Rom. 1:16). Yes, here it is! No one who has not been baptized “into Christ,” has “put on Christ” and there is no salvation to anyone who has not “put on Christ!” Some will say, well this/that is just too hard, and I will not accept it! People have trained themselves to never get “out-side” their own doctrine! They refuse to “think,” which is a necessary requirement, if one is ever to get “in Christ;” if one is ever to “put on Christ.”
In conclusion, to this series of articles, it must not be overlooked that Paul used the words “in Christ” at the end of verse three (Eph. 1:3)! Though the blessings were for all mankind, it remains a fact, that only those who are “in Christ” receive them! Once more we turn to the words of Albert Barnes: “The leading thing on which the apostle dwells is God‘s eternal purpose – his everlasting counsel in regard to the salvation of man.” But it is once more pointed out that the “blessings” are received only by those who are “in Christ,” those who have “put on Christ.” This “purpose” is based upon one thing: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Or as Paul wrote: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him” (Rom. 5:8-9).
For these reasons we, who are “in Christ,” who have “put on Christ,” should be ever ready to worship God, “in spirit and in truth: (John 4:24), as we offer our humble thanks to him for his love! It was this love that was the cause behind God’s action of providing the means of salvation “in Christ!”
Frank R. Williams