Strength for Today

"To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus" (Col. 1b). There are so many blessings to being "in Christ." Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus lists some of them. If you are "in Christ" you cannot be anywhere else. If I am in the house on a rainy day, that is a good place to be. I am kept dry from the rain. I have shelter. So it is "in Christ." Here are just a few things we have by being in Christ.
1. Pardon. "In Him we have redemption through His blood" (v. 7). Pardon from sin can be found nowhere else.
2. Power. "In Him you also trusted...having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise" (v. 13). The Holy Spirit empowers the new believer.
3. Protection. The Lord is now our Shepherd and He will protect us from the wolves of the world. He carries both the rod (for the wolves) and the staff (for the sheep).
4. Provision. The Good Shepherd has much provision for us. He prepares a table for us, laden with good things for us.
5. Purpose. God placed us in Christ "that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love (v. 4). Do not say that your life is without purpose!
6. Prospect. "That you may know what is the hope of His calling...the riches of His inheritance in the saints" (v. 18). Did you know that Someone died and left you a fortune? You have hope ~ you have an inheritance that is literally "out of this world."