Passage: Ephesians 2:13

The Big Idea

The New Covenant isn’t a dead system for keeping rules. It’s a real relationship with the living God. Through the blood of Jesus, those who were far off have been brought near. Scripture describes this closeness three ways: we are in Christ, Christ is in us, and everything comes through Christ. Eternal life itself is defined as knowing God. The New Covenant always pushes us away from religion and toward relationship.

Brought Near

Now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13).

It’s hard to have a close relationship with someone far away. The New Covenant changes our relationship with God from distant to close: from dead religion to living relationship.
The price for this change is the precious blood of Jesus.
The New Covenant will always push us toward relationship rather than religion.
“In Christ” is where we find this relationship and all its resources.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7).

Sin is what separates people from God. Grace has removed that problem.
In Him.

So what does it mean to be in Christ? How do I get there and stay there?

In Christ

As in Adam all die, so in Christ all shall be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:22).

In Adam: a relationship by birth, where we inherit his resources. Only one result: death.
In Christ: a relationship by new birth, where we inherit His resources. Only one result: life.
All: a promise that doesn’t fail, with no partiality.
This is a life-or-death reality, as close as an unborn baby with its mother.

Have you noticed how often the Bible says we’re “in Christ”?

In Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but a new creation (Galatians 6:15). Performance, or lack of it, doesn’t matter. Neither does any other human circumstance. The only thing that matters is new life by new creation. We’re made new in Christ: a new identity with new access. Every resource of the new creation belongs to every believer, however different we are.
God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). Past tense: has blessed. We often feel far from God’s blessings, calling for a heavenly care package, when everything we need is found in our relationship with Christ. Can you overdraw that account?
Paul prays that the eyes of your understanding would be enlightened, so you’d know the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints (Ephesians 1:18). Only family members receive an inheritance. In Christ you’re adopted into God’s family in a very real way. We’ve only really seen these things when they leave us amazed at His goodness.
We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2:10). “Created” speaks of something new, made from nothing. In Christ we’re God’s creative work.
Him we preach… that we may present everyone perfect in Christ Jesus (Colossians 1:28). “Him” points back to “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (v. 27). The message that matures Christians isn’t the law, but Christ in you. It’s the same message that saved them. Jesus isn’t something we do; He’s a Person we get to know and trust.

Christ in Us

“Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him” (John 6:56).

Sounds strange, until you remember verse 35: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me shall never hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst.”
Coming to Jesus by faith is eating this meal. His flesh is His sacrifice for us; His blood is His life given to us.
Believing these things is eating them, and Jesus says He lives in that person.

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches… Without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).

If Jesus didn’t live in us, we’d be completely unable to do what He wants.
Picture a sponge in the ocean: it’s in the ocean, and the ocean is in it.
A relationship isn’t as tidy as a list of rules. It’s deeper and more foundational.
Where do you get your life each day?

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

What do I do with this verse? It’s all about what He has done, past tense.
You can’t try harder when it’s no longer you who lives.
The life we live is by faith: humble dependence on Jesus’ life, and knowing His love.
Faith is relational dependence.
Many Christians say they’re “trying their best to be a good Christian.” “Trying” always reveals a self-source. Instead of a self-produced life, we can have His life lived in us.

My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you (Galatians 4:19).

Paul’s ministry was real work, but not the self-sourced kind.
It was the labor of a loving mother enduring pain to give birth.
And the birth he labored for was Jesus living in the people.
We’re not trying to see more of you. We want to see Jesus living through you. He must increase; I must decrease (John 3:30).

Through Christ

If by one man’s offense death reigned, much more will those who receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17, 21).

A victorious life comes through Jesus, just as death came through Adam.
Life is lived in relation to Another. That isn’t how we normally think.
An abundance of grace is the gift that comes through our relationship with Him.

I thank God for the grace given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him, in all speech and all knowledge (1 Corinthians 1:4-5).

Grace comes from and through Him into our lives.
This relationship really changes how we speak and understand.

Filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God (Philippians 1:11).

All fruit comes through Jesus. He’s the source and supplier, and God loves it that way.
Fruit is a living thing, the produce of a plant that’s alive.

That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love… (Ephesians 3:17).

Look at God’s wonderful love: He chooses to live in our hearts.
His response to my dirty heart is pure love.
His purpose in living in us is to establish our hearts in His love, so we know, believe and feel His love every day.

Getting to Know God

“This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3).

Eternity is defined as ever-increasing intimacy with God and Jesus.
Not working. Not partying. Knowing.

I count all things loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord (Philippians 3:8).

The surpassing worth. The most valuable thing in the universe: knowing Jesus.
A relationship based on our humility and faith, and His faithfulness and ability.
Paul says, “One thing I do” (v. 13). This is the only focus. The more we know Him, the more we’ll trust Him and call on Him to change the world.

May God give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (Ephesians 1:17).

God is the initiator. He reveals Himself to us first.

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).

What if we never grew in our marriages? Never talked, never spent time together, never shared life?
As we learn to trust Jesus, we learn to receive His grace to live for God now.
It all springs from knowing Jesus, an experiential knowledge, not just theology.

Grace Takeaway

God didn’t save you to hand you a rulebook. He brought you near by the blood of His Son so you could know Him. You’re in Christ, Christ is in you, and every good thing comes through Him. Stop trying to be a good Christian and start getting to know the Christ who lives in you. That’s eternal life, starting now.

For Discussion

Is the New Covenant just a dead system for keeping rules, or a real relationship with the living God?
What does it mean to be in Christ? How do I get there and stay there?

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Grace Discipleship 7: Relationship