Here is a devotional taken from my newest book, The Surprising Joy of Discovering How God Sees You: A Daily Adventure with Your Identity in Christ

I Am in Christ Jesus

There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:1 NIV

Steps on Your Journey to Discover How God Sees You:

What does it mean to be “in Christ Jesus”? Think about that. Ask God to show you what He wants you to know about it. How do you know if you are in Christ? If you believe in Jesus and have a personal relationship with God, you are in Christ. The New Testament has so much to say about us being in Christ Jesus. I challenge you to study what it says. What do the following verses say to you today?

• Ephesians 2:6-7, 10 (ESV): “[God] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
• Philippians 4:19 (ESV): “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
• 2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV): “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.”

Let me give you an illustration of being in Christ. Often when I put on the armor of God, I will start off choosing to be strong in the Lord. The picture God often gives me is like the robots in the movie Avatar. On their own, the people couldn’t stand against their enemy, but when they climbed inside the robots, they had amazing power and protection. In the same way, when we are in Christ, we have all that He is available to us. We are protected and we have all of His power available.

Think about what it means to you to be in Christ Jesus. Ask God to reveal more to you. Your picture may be different than mine. That’s okay. This is just one of the ways I see myself in Christ.

A Prayer for You:

Christ Jesus, thank You that, because of what You did for me on the cross, I am in You. Thank You for the protection, provision, power and so much more that I have because I am in You. Teach me more of what this means for my life.