Louise Norved .: day 18 - december 2001 Christmas is the time we celebrate Christís coming into the world - so that we could be united with Christ. Make sure youíre not missing out on any Christmas blessing! The Bible teaches that we were once all alienated from God because of our evil behaviour (Col 1:21), that we were separate from Christ and also excluded from citizenship in Israel, foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world (Eph 2:12). But now through Christ's body those who believe have been reconciled to God so that we have been united with Christ both in his death and resurrection. The Bible speaks about this as being "included in Christ" (Eph 1:13), "made alive with Christ" (2:5), "in him" (4:21), "in Christ" (1:3), and being "baptised into Christ Jesus" (Rom 6:2). Union with Christ comes by the Holy Spirit through believing the Word (Eph 1:13). The Spirit is our guarantee of what is to come, and is particularly grieved when members of the body of Christ sin against one another (4:30). Being in union with Christ brings with it certain obligations, to live according to the new way and not the old, since the old self was crucified with Christ (Rom 6). We who believe have been raised with Christ and seated with him in the heavenly realms, which is further reason to live according to our new status, which belongs in heaven with Christ (Col 3:1-11). Only when youíre "in Christ" are these blessings received. Louise Norved edits and compiles ewe-turn, out of a passion for seeing women as devoted followers of Christ. Send Feedback    |    Printable version of this article