7 In Who

 ~ Consider the “In Who” Phrases in the Epistle to the Ephesians ~

In Who We Have Redemption  ~  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth — in Him.” (Ephesians 1:3-10) …

In Who We Have An Inheritance  ~  …  “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,” (Ephesians 1:11) …

In Who We Trusted  ~  …  “That we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.  In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation;” (Ephesians 1:12-13a, see also 1 Timothy 4:9-11) …

In Who Believing We Are Sealed  ~  …  “In whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:13b-14). 

In Who We Are Part of His Building  ~  “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,” (Ephesians 2:19-21) …

In Who We Are Also His Dwelling Place  ~  …  “In whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22).

In Who We Have Bold Access  ~  “To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.  Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory” (Ephesians 3:8-13).

additional comment  ~  Are you taking advantage (in a Godly way) of your standing in Christ?  If not, why not?  “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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EXTRA: 7 Steps To Finishing Strong

 ~ 7 Progressive Steps Up a Pyramid ~

Introduction  ~  One of my recent eBook releases entitled, “CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How To Finish Strong” is a roadmap to victorious Christian living.  Here are the 7 Steps.

Decisions  ~  “Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:14-15).

Thinking  ~  “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

Attitudes  ~ “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5, niv).

Motivations ~ “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus [think like Christ thinks], who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the Cross” (Philippians 2:5-8).

Actions  ~ “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9).

Lifestyle ~ “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind” (Philippians 3:12-16).

Finishing Strong ~ “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Closing Comment  ~  These are the core levels of Christian growth which build on each other and result in hearing “Well done you good and faithful servant” from our Savior.

“CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How To Finish Strong” is a clear explanation of the sequential steps for consistent progress in becoming more Christ-like.  It is a How To book regarding each of the seven steps.

ISBN: 978-1393844402 ~ (Hebrews 10:38) ~ https://books2read.com/ChristsDisciple

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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7 In The Lord

 ~ Are You Fully Functioning “In The Lord”? ~

Brethren In The Lord (unity)  ~  “But I [The Apostle Paul] want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear” (Philippians 1:12-14). 

Trust In The Lord (faith)  ~  “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state.  For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state.  For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.  But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.  Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me.  But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly” (Philippians 2:19-24). 

Accepted In The Lord (fellowship)  ~  “Therefore I sent him [Epaphroditus] the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful.  Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me” (Philippians 2:28-30). 

Rejoice In The Lord (joy)  ~  “Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). 

Stand Fast In The Lord (stability)  ~  “Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved” (Philippians 4:1).

Same Mind In The Lord (oneness)  ~  “I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord” (Philippians 4:2). 

Rejoice In The Lord (witness)  ~  What the Apostle Paul exhorted others to do (verse 4:4 above) he provided an example for others to follow – he walked his talk: “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity” (Philippians 4:10).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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