(2 Corinthians 5:17) Whoever is “in Christ,” he/she is a new creation!

2 Corinthians 5:17 is centered on one amazing and unchanging truth: the Word—the divine Logos—became human and lived among us (John 1:14).

When we look at Christ, we see God.

This truth is what we theologically call the “incarnation.”

This was an act of God’s grace that can never be reversed.

It is the foundation upon which Christianity is established and by which our future is secure.

In divine humility, Jesus descended into our world as a person—fully God and fully human.

In becoming human, he assumed our sinful humanity into himself to save us.

We were completely helpless to save ourselves.

We were dead in our sins.

We were enemies of God.

From his birth to the cross, Jesus lived and died for the salvation of all people.

Through faith in him, we were brought by God’s grace “inside Christ.”

This is not simply an abstract ideology.

We put our faith “in Christ.”

We were baptized “in Christ.”

Our lives are hidden “in Christ.”

We are raised to life “in Christ.”

Through faith, we are to live our Christian lives in relational union “in Christ” through the Holy Spirit.

Our old life “outside of Christ” is gone.

When we enter Christ through faith, we are transferred from darkness into the light of Christ.

We are to be clothed with Christ.

Through faith, we are to live “inside Christ,” but too often we live our Christian lives “outside of Christ,” looking in.

We envision Christ simply as a historical figure who is now absent, residing far away in heaven.

When we function relationally “outside of Christ,” our faith becomes abstract and intellectual.

Christ simply becomes a picture on the wall.

However, when we envision our lives “inside Christ”—in union with him—our faith becomes dynamic and heart-centered.

It is only “inside Christ” that we discover our true selves.

It is “inside Christ” that we find true peace and reconciliation, for “in Christ,” we no longer experience alienation from God.

It is only “inside Christ” that we experience eternal life.

Are you living “inside Christ”?

Or have you positioned yourself “outside of Christ,” simply looking in?

Or do you see yourself living somewhere in between—one foot “inside Christ” and one foot “outside Christ”?

Examine yourself.