The book of Ephesians gives us a beautiful picture of how God has included us in His grand plan from the beginning of time. Before Adam sinned, God already had a redemptive plan " in Christ". Before we were even conceived, God knew who would accept Christ and become children of God.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him” (v3-4)
Do you notice the two words " in Christ", or " in Him"? These 2 words abound in this chapter and the entire book of Ephesians. In fact this concept of being " in Christ" or it's equivalent appears one hundred seventy-six times in the writings of Paul. It appears thirty-six times in Ephesians.
As Christians, we have our new spiritual identity " in Christ." It makes me think of a set of old Russian nesting dolls that I used to play with as a child. When all of the little dolls were placed inside or "hidden in" the biggest doll, all you could see was the one big doll.
All the blessings and privileges that Christ has become ours as well because When God looks at us he sees us " in Christ", the perfect accepted body of the crucified and risen Christ. Just in this chapter alone, look at all that we get to experience and partake of because we are in Him.
" In Him" we are:
Blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places
Chosen before the foundation of the world
Holy and blameless before God
Adopted as sons ( and daughters)
Redeemed ( through the blood of Jesus)
Forgiven of our sins
Have God's rich grace lavished upon us
Provided wisdom and insight
Given an inheritance
Sealed with the Holy Spirit
Doesn't it make you feel blessed and privileged just to read this minimal list. I believe Paul really wanted us to grasp this mystery of being hidden in Christ and to be empowered by the knowledge of having our identity in Christ.
Christ truly is the cornerstone of our salvation. In a world torn apart by the destructive power of sin, Christ is the one who will restore order, peace, healing and unity.
“making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.” (V 9-10)
Through Christ, we have hope. This hope is in the finished redemptive work of Christ and the authority given to Christ as he was raised from death and set in a position of power and authority to rule the world. So much was accomplished in God's grand plan...
“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, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 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.” (v 20-23)
Because He lives, we have life.
Because He reigns, we reign.
We have so much given to us! We have so much to be grateful for. We have so much to praise Him for.
All because we are " in Him".
If you are feeling defeated, I encourage you to look at a more extensive list of the "in Christ" or " in Him" references throughout God's Word. They were put there to remind us of who we are and how blessed we are because of Jesus.