In Christ

Within just the first 14 verses of Ephesians, the phrase “in him” or “in Christ” appears nine times. Paul’s message to the church in Ephesus— and the message I want to share with you— can be simply summarized: find your identity in Christ.

But to understand what that truly means, and why Christ is trustworthy to hold our identity, we must keep reading.

Ephesians 1:19–23 says:

“[A]ccording to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”

When the Lord saved me, I understood that my identity must rest in Him because of His power and authority, but it wasn’t until recently that I began to grasp the depth of what that means.

There is a fancy doctrinal term called double imputation, which in short, means a twofold exchange between Christ and His people: our sin is credited to Christ, and His righteousness is credited to us.

Paul describes this exchange throughout the chapter. “In him we have redemption through his blood” (1:7). In Christ, our sins are no longer counted against us, but were placed upon Him. That is the first part of the exchange.

The second is this: “the fullness of him who fills all in all” (1:23). In Christ, His righteousness, wisdom, Spirit, and glorious inheritance are now ours. Christ took my sin, and I received His righteousness.

Trusting Christ with our identity will not disappoint us. From this trust springs gracious salvation, a righteous identity, and the promise of eternal glory. It’s not His power and authority alone that encourage such profound trust in Him (which they could), but it’s this undeserving, insurmountable, all-sufficient grace fully granted to us while fully attached to Christ’s work alone.

And why does Christ offer such a radical gift? For His glory alone.

God chose us for His glory, predestined us for His glory, adopted us for His glory, and secured our inheritance for His glory. What a privilege it is to worship the One who shares His glorious life with His people.

So what is your identity when your hope is in Christ? It is His. Sisters in Christ, you are chosen by the Father, saved by the Son, and sealed by the Holy Spirit. Rest in the Beloved, whose grace gives you a new name.

Reflection:
Do you see God's glory as praiseworthy? In what ways have you misplaced your identity, and what makes you hesitate to trust Christ with it?

Lizzy Laymon