July 10th, 2025
by Charles W Price
by Charles W Price
Verse For Today
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works…” — EPHESIANS 2:10
Devotional
In his writings, Paul often uses the terms “in Christ” and “Christ in us”. What does he mean and are there differences that distinguish the two?
To be “in Christ” is the other identity to our earthly one. It is the spiritual world to which we belong where two things happen when we become Christians. Christ comes to live in us and we come to be in Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12:13 Paul says, “By one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.” This is the body of Christ, but it is one thing for us ‘to be in Christ’, and another for ‘Christ to be in us’. They are complimentary, and we can’t separate them as far as the timing goes, but we can separate them as far as their meaning and purpose.
Before we became Christians, we were spiritually dead, but after becoming Christians, we received the indwelling life of Christ, and became spiritually alive. With Christ living in us, we now become members of one corporate body of which Christ is the Head. He is our source of power, but severed from Christ, there is no spiritual life or power. The emphasis of ‘Christ in us’ is not just that we have life, but we now have power. Christ in us gives power, but ourselves in Christ gives purpose. Christ in us gives resources, but us in Christ gives responsibilities. Christ in us is personal, but us in Christ is corporate.
As Christians, we are a part of the much bigger picture, and become the instruments (us in Christ), by which God does His work on earth. In addition, we have an inheritance in Christ, which is Christ, Himself, and the unlimited resources that come with being in Him. Christ also has an inheritance in us in that He now has another body in union with His to live in and work through, which is what gives us purpose.
The actual thrust of the book of Ephesians is about the corporate relationship we have, operating interdependently with one another, and built together as Christ’s church. It is where He lives by His Spirit, and uses our individual personalities to speak with our lips, love with our hearts and walk with our feet. Christ in us gives us the power, and us in Christ is a disposition of heart that says, “Lord, I’m available to You and your work in this world.”
To be “in Christ” is the other identity to our earthly one. It is the spiritual world to which we belong where two things happen when we become Christians. Christ comes to live in us and we come to be in Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12:13 Paul says, “By one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.” This is the body of Christ, but it is one thing for us ‘to be in Christ’, and another for ‘Christ to be in us’. They are complimentary, and we can’t separate them as far as the timing goes, but we can separate them as far as their meaning and purpose.
Before we became Christians, we were spiritually dead, but after becoming Christians, we received the indwelling life of Christ, and became spiritually alive. With Christ living in us, we now become members of one corporate body of which Christ is the Head. He is our source of power, but severed from Christ, there is no spiritual life or power. The emphasis of ‘Christ in us’ is not just that we have life, but we now have power. Christ in us gives power, but ourselves in Christ gives purpose. Christ in us gives resources, but us in Christ gives responsibilities. Christ in us is personal, but us in Christ is corporate.
As Christians, we are a part of the much bigger picture, and become the instruments (us in Christ), by which God does His work on earth. In addition, we have an inheritance in Christ, which is Christ, Himself, and the unlimited resources that come with being in Him. Christ also has an inheritance in us in that He now has another body in union with His to live in and work through, which is what gives us purpose.
The actual thrust of the book of Ephesians is about the corporate relationship we have, operating interdependently with one another, and built together as Christ’s church. It is where He lives by His Spirit, and uses our individual personalities to speak with our lips, love with our hearts and walk with our feet. Christ in us gives us the power, and us in Christ is a disposition of heart that says, “Lord, I’m available to You and your work in this world.”
Prayer
Lord, I understand that your life in me gives me power and unlimited resources, but I pray for myself to be increasingly more in You to help further your agenda in this world.
Reflection
Do I understand the difference between Christ in me and me in Christ?
Recent
God the Gardener, Christ the Vine and Us the Branches
February 2nd, 2026
Faith in Christ and the Fruit of Self Control | Devotional
February 2nd, 2026
Jesus Came to Save, Not Judge Like the Pharisees | Devotion
February 2nd, 2026
Praise & Worship God as A Response to His Love | Devotion
January 30th, 2026
Miracles of Jesus are Signs Meant to Lead People to Belief
January 29th, 2026
Archive
2026
January
Knowing Christ Through the Bible This New Year | DevotionLiving the Christian Life by Faith in Christ | DevotionalVictory Over Satan with Prayer and God's Word | DevotionalUnderstanding the Fatherhood of God Through Jesus ChristFinding Hope in Despair Through God's Faithful Love | DevotionTeaching of Jesus: Ask, Seek, Knock and Pray | Luke 11God Will Give the Holy Spirit to Those Who Ask HimJesus Calls His Disciples to Obedience After FailureHoly Ground: God Calls Moses to Trust & Obedience | DevotionOnce Dead In Sin, Now Made Alive by God's Spirit | DevotionLiving a Life of Love and Purity | Ephesians 5 DevotionalGod’s Relationship With Israel & the Church in FellowshipWhat Happened When Israel Reasoned With God | DevotionalWhen God Gives Us Over to Sin: A Warning for the HeartGod Gave Joseph Success & Strength In All CircumstancesGod Was With Joseph In All Circumstances | DevotionalWalking With God, Living A Life Worthy of Your CallingOne Church in Christ with Unity by One Spirit | DevotionalGrace: From Captive In Sin to Captive In Christ | DevotionDon't Be Disappointed When You Don't See God's Plan | DevotionJesus Promises Resurrection and Eternal Home in HeavenBy Grace God Made Us Alive When We Were Dead | DevotionWorship: Offering Your Bodies as Living Sacrifices to GodJesus Said To Peter: Come As You Are | Bible DevotionalKnowing Christ Through Relationship With God | DevotionalOutside of Christ We Are Separated From God | Devotional David VS. Goliath: Trust God In Every Area | DevotionalKing Saul's Story: Fear Over Faith | Bible DevotionalDavid’s Victory and Saul’s Jealousy | 1 Samuel DevotionalGod's Presence When Israel Was In Sin | Ezekiel DevotionalEzekiel: The Lord Is There, Repent and Restore | DevotionMiracles of Jesus are Signs Meant to Lead People to BeliefPraise & Worship God as A Response to His Love | Devotion
2025
July
A SERVANT OF CHRISTTHE FINEST WINECAN GOD BE PROVEN?THE GREATEST GIFTREKINDLING THE FERVOUR | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALTHE HARD TIMES | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALA MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALFAITHFUL SAINTS | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALIN CHRIST AND CHRIST IN US | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALRIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD RECEIVED | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALTHE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALTHE STAFF OF GOD | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALDIVINE PROVISION | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALTHE CHRISTIAN ADVENTURE | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALUNANSWERED PRAYER: 4 BIBLICAL REASONS | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALJesus Chose Ordinary People | Daily Bible DevotionalJesus Breaks Down Barriers | Daily Bible DevotionalUNLOCKING HEAVEN ON EARTH | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALCHRISTIAN FAITH: OBJECTIVE TRUTH | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALBUILD ON THE ROCK: CHRIST AS YOUR FOUNDATION | DEVOTIONALPUT ON THE NEW SELF: TRANSFORMED IN CHRIST | DEVOTIONALSEEKING JESUS AND FINDING PEACE IN THE BIBLE | DEVOTIONALSHARE THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST LIKE PAUL DID | DEVOTIONALBAPTISM: FROM DEATH TO LIFE | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALWALK ON WATER WITH JESUS | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALBLESSING OF GIVING: TITHES AND OFFERING | MALACHI DEVOTIONKNOW CHRIST BETTER THROUGH PRAYER | EPHESIANS 1 DEVOTIONALHope, Inheritance & Power in Christ | Ephesians DevotionalForgiveness & Grace For Humble Sinners | Luke DevotionalHow Beautiful Are The Feet Of Those Who Bring Good News!
August
Seek God's Gift of Wisdom | Proverbs DevotionalChrist’s Power in Our Weaknesses & Suffering | DevotionalSigns of the Holy Spirit Within Us | Daily DevotionalFollowing Jesus: Deny Yourself & Take Up Your CrossMoses' Story: When You Feel Inadequate for God’s CallingPraying To God With Humility | Daily Bible DevotioanlStrengthened By The Spirit And Christ's Power | DevotionalRun the Christian Race by God’s Rules | Bible DevotionalRooted In The Love & Knowledge Of Christ | DevotionalThe Gospel: Saved by Grace Alone In Christ | DevotionalExperience the Love of God | Psalm 86 DevotionalKnowing God Through His Spirit | Daily Bible DevotionalLosing Life to Gain Christ’s Fullness | Bible DevotionalTrusting God's Timing In Prayer | Nehemiah 2 DevotionalOvercoming the Law of Sin with Christ's Spirit | Romans 7God's Truth In Our Heart | Psalm 51 DevotionalThe Greatness of God Beyond Our Theology | DevotionalGod's Sovereignty: How He Remolds Us | Bible DevotionalFaithful Families Remember God’s Wonders | Psalm 111The Helmet of Salvation and Hope in Christ | DevotionalChristians Find Freedom In Christ, Not Legalism | DevotionGod of Comfort in Suffering | 2 Corinthians DevotionalGod Jehovah: The Lord Who Heals | Exodus 15 DevotionalJesus Christ Heals the Sick | Mark 1 Bible DevotionalGood Soil and God’s Word | Luke 8 Bible DevotionalPreach The Gospel To All Of The World | Mark 16 DevotionalGod Is With The Humble & Lowly In Spirit | Isaiah Devotion
September
Holy Is The Lord God Almighty | Isaiah 6 DevotionalMatthew 5: Let Your Yes Be Yes, No Be No | Devotion On OathGifts to Build the Body of Christ | Ephesians 4 DevotionalChrist in You, the Hope of Glory | Colossians 1 DevotionalLove Jesus & Your Neighbour | Good Samaritan DevotionalRebuild Faith and Life in Christ | Nehemiah 3 Devotional
No Comments