How can I know I am in Christ if I don't feel like it?
Assurance of being in Christ rests on God's Word, not feelings. The Bible declares believers are in Christ in the heavenlies, and that truth is received by faith. Emotions are not the basis; they cannot replace sound biblical doctrine. Even when feelings disagree, the Word says you are in Christ, so you know it by faith.
Les explains that the Jew knew nothing of a position in Christ—he knew covenant relationship and promises to the forefathers, but not this. Even for us today it is hard to comprehend, so we take these things by faith. Les illustrates it this way: 'I don't feel like I'm in Christ, in Heaven, but I know that I am, because the Word says I am.' Every believer must come to understand that what the Bible says is true, and we take it by faith; we don't necessarily feel it. Emotions are fine up to a point, but they can never take the place of good biblical doctrine. So even though we may not feel like it, on the basis of God's Word that is where we are: in Christ, in the heavenlies, part of everything God has been building ever since He began with Adam in the garden in Genesis. In Ephesians 1, He has predestinated us into that position; adoption means He has placed us positionally as children by Jesus Christ Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of His glory.