“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” – 1Corinthians 1:30
LIGHT FOR NOW: In Christ, God has not merely given us things; He has given us Christ Himself. Our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption are all found in the Person to whom we are united.
Paul says something remarkable: “Ye are in Christ Jesus”. That is the foundation of everything that follows. He does not merely say that Christ gives us wisdom. He says Christ “is made unto us wisdom”. This is the wonder of union with Christ. Christianity is not primarily the collection of spiritual benefits. It is participation in the life of Christ. The blessings flow from the Person. Christ is our wisdom.
The Greek word sophia speaks of wisdom, insight, and understanding. In Christ, we have access to God’s wisdom and are learning to see life from God’s perspective. Christ is our righteousness. Our standing before God is not manufactured by human effort. It is established in Christ, as we saw yesterday. We are accepted because we are found in Him. Christ is also our sanctification. The word hagiasmos refers to holiness, consecration, or the process of being made holy. Union with Christ therefore does not only change our position; it progressively changes our conduct. The One who justifies us also works in us, and Christ is our redemption.
God did not simply rescue us from a difficult situation. Through Christ, He brought us into a new relationship with Himself. Notice the progression: wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, redemption.
Everything we need for our relationship with God is gathered up in Christ. This means we should not live as though Christ is merely an addition to our lives. He is the source. He is the centre. He is the sufficiency.
When you need wisdom, look to Christ. When you need assurance of your standing, look to Christ. When you need strength to grow in holiness, look to Christ. When you remember what He has redeemed you from and what He has redeemed you into, look to Christ. The Christian life becomes clearer when Christ Himself remains at the centre. We are not trying to become complete apart from Him. We are learning to live from the fullness we have received in Him. Glory!
INSTRUCTION: Today, consciously make Christ your answer before looking to yourself. In every area where you feel deficient, ask, “How does Christ become my wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, or redemption here?”
CONFESSION: Christ is my wisdom. Christ is my righteousness. Christ is my sanctification. Christ is my redemption. I refuse to live from self-sufficiency; I live from my union with Christ and continually draw from His fullness, in Jesus Name. Amen!
FOR MORE LIGHT, get the message ‘Understanding Salvation’ by Prophet Dr John Linus.
QUOTE: Union with Christ means that God did not merely give me what I need; He gave me Christ, in whom everything I need is found.
DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: 1CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 1; EVENING: COLOSSIANS CHAPTER 2
