Paul tells us 81 different times in the New Testament that we are “in Christ.” There are multiple dimensions to what it means to be “in Christ.” One of the themes that Paul develops is that “in Christ” is actually a location that we exist in. Christ is a person but for our sake He is also a place.

Constantine Campbell, Senior Lecturer in Greek and New Testament at Moore Theological College in Sydney, Australia, teaches in his award-winning book Paul and Union With Christ: An Exegetical and Theological Study, that, “Union with Christ involves our location within the realm of Christ” (Campbell, 408).

There is a location, a place if you will, where all of the spiritual blessings of God exist. This place is none other than the person of Christ. All of God’s promises, love, affection, and passion are like a mighty river flowing through this place.

You can think of Christ like a car that you are sitting in. In this car is God’s peace, righteousness, glory, and creativity. Christ invited you into this car and you said yes and this is now the place that you live in. In this car, there is no sin, darkness, or evil. If you commit a sin, it is not because God kicked you out of the car, but because you forgot where you are. Just admit you made a mistake and remember you live in a place of God’s love, purity, and beautiful holiness.

Living in this car leads to great works of love. But let Christ, the driver, lead. Don’t try and tell him where to go. He knows what He’s doing.