Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:1, 2

The phrase that caught my attention this morning is in Paul’s greeting to the believers in Ephesus.  Not long, just 5 words – the faithful in Christ Jesus.  That means, those who are full of faith in Jesus Christ.  They are in Christ Jesus.  They have been moved, by the Spirit of God, into Christ.  That is obviously what it means to be in Christ Jesus. But what does that mean to me?

Am I in Christ?  I see myself as having Jesus in my life.  Seldom do I think of the amazing reality that our lives are hidden, so to speak, in Christ Jesus.  This is possible only as I know in my heart of hearts, and in my deepest emotions, that I am in Christ Jesus.  Of course, it is cause for joy beyond telling that Jesus Christ is in me, but I experience additional joy when I know that I am in Christ Jesus.   I in Him and He in me.  Can there be closer intimacy?

I think about many things when I see myself as a follower of Jesus.  To be honest, too seldom do I sit back and let sink in this unexpected reality that I am in Christ and Christ is in me.  I get hung up far too often on trivia.  I need to value more and more the blessing and joy of this two-person relationship God and me and God with us.  That is the most meaning and powerful relation that can be imagined.  It is the relationship that turns a sinner into a saint!

Lord, teach me, deeply, what I already know in my heart.