In Him

You ever choose to do one of those things that seemed like a good idea at the time? As
the elders explored the idea of a more focused approach to Immerse, it seemed like it
would be fun and somewhat easy for Lorraine and I to take on a class. Particularly a
younger class. One of those early years where the teaching of scripture would be
simple and fun. Let’s think through that. We take a concept (God/Christ/sin/redemption)
and make it understandable to children who are just beginning to read and write (and
perhaps beginning to think abstractly). That sounds like fun?! In truth, it has been great
fun so far, but only if you really like a challenge. Don’t get me wrong, the children are
not the challenge, the concepts are.

Part of the theory behind our current structure of Immerse is that we can take small
parts of scripture and meditate on them in various situations (as couples, at a class, in
our home, with friends) and never exhaust the fullness of the riches of His word. I am
seeing that increasingly.

Week one: Two verses, an introduction. Lorraine and I spent glorious time together in
the garden, exploring it and preparing. We only went slightly over on time. All good.

Week Two: What!! 12 verses on the concept of what it means to be “in Him” and why we
are “In Him”? Whose idea was that? Basically, this is what God was thinking before the
foundation of the earth. How He was going to put it into practice through Christ before
we even existed in any physical form. Yah, kind of like “here’s God’s word, the whole of
scripture summed up in 12 verses”. Given to 8–9-year-olds in 60 minutes. I am not sure
we gave them anything substantial, but it sure made us ponder.

We left the kids with a couple of “simple” questions to take home and get their parents
to answer. (mostly cause we didn’t have great answers)
1. What does it mean to be “In Christ”?
2. When were we chosen by God?

If you haven’t read Ephesians 1:3-14 lately, I would ask that you pause now and read it.
“Even as He chose us in Him (Christ) before the foundation of the world”. Just one
phrase in vs 4 but it is packed. As we often do when studying the words of God, I like to
try and get as close to the original meaning as we can. Sometimes looking up the
original words, sometimes looking at various thoughts on translation. Following this we
like to write it down with our understanding. Likely not perfect but it makes it ours and
gives us common ground to refer to when discussing other passages from God. This
brings us closer to God and to each other in the spirit of our understanding.
Strengthening our union and preserving oneness.

In this case, He did this (blessed us with all spiritual blessings) by selecting us IN Christ
prior to the conception of the cosmos (world).

Maybe it is just me, but I think that we as Christians throw words around with little
thought for their meaning. Perhaps in a casual conversation that may be safe? With the
word of God we should be much more careful? Too often, I wonder, “I don’t think that
word means what you think it means”. Inconceivable, right? Maybe not. We throw
around words like: blessed, grace, peace, faith, and assume everyone is meaning the
same thing? Try this. Ask a friend to give you a definition of grace. See if that matches
your own. Is grace a noun or a verb? Can it be felt or given? What is the result of
grace? The questions and nuances are endless.

How about a little word like “in”. en-(G1722) A primary preposition denoting (fixed)
position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or
constructively), that is, a relation of rest. Intermediate between eis-G1519-to or into
(indicating the point reached or entered), and ek-G1537-A primary preposition denoting
origin (the point whence motion or action proceeds) from.

All this to say, “in” here is a fixed spot, a place of rest. When we ask what does it mean
to be In Christ we often imply the question, “What do I have to do to be” In Christ. This
scripture actually negates that question. Read correctly, we believe it means you are
chosen before God even considered the universe, to rest in Jesus Christ. To trust that
He has given His blood to reconcile all things to Himself and that this is sufficient
payment. You want to do something? Let your spirit rest in Him. “And whatever you do,
in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the
Father through Him." (Col 3:17). All this to begin to understand one two letter word. Now you
see our struggle with 12 verses. A life time could be spent in just those alone.

Hallelujah! To God be the Glory!