To be 'in Christ' means being placed into the Body of Christ by God through personal faith in the Gospel, resulting in a permanent union with Him.
The Bible teaches that upon genuine faith in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, God makes the believer a child of God and puts him into the body of Christ. This union is described as being 'in Christ,' where believers share in His death, resurrection, and inheritance, and it guarantees no condemnation for those who are in Him.
Romans 8:1 — Directly states that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1 declares, 'There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.' This verse establishes that being 'in Christ' is a positional truth that secures believers from condemnation. Furthermore, 1 Corinthians 12:13 explains that 'by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body,' indicating that believers are placed into the Body of Christ by the Spirit's action. Ephesians 1:13-14 speaks of being sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise upon believing, which is the earnest of our inheritance.
Les emphasizes that being 'in Christ' is not about emotional experiences or following rules. Instead, God moves in at salvation and places the believer into the Body of Christ (Clip 2). He highlights the security of the believer: because of this position, there is no condemnation for those truly in Christ, not just nominal church members (Clip 0). The believer is also 'sealed by the Spirit' and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, proving their eternal life (Clips 1, 4). Les also illustrates the union with Christ using the marriage analogy: just as husband and wife become one, believers are 'married to Christ' and become one with Him spiritually (Clips 5, 7). This union is further described in Ephesians as Christ being the Head and believers the members of His Body (Clip 5), and believers are His inheritance (Clip 6).
Les teaches that salvation is not just an intellectual assent but a genuine faith in the Gospel—that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. When a person truly believes this, God moves in and makes them a child of God and puts them into the Body of Christ (Clip 2). This is not achieved by being in a denomination or by any emotional experience, but by personal faith in the work of the cross (Clips 0, 3).
Because believers are 'in Christ,' there is no condemnation for them (Romans 8:1). Les qualifies this by stating he is not talking about mere church members but those with genuine faith and salvation experience (Clip 0). This security is not based on one's own feelings or denominational claims but on what God declares in His Word.
Les uses the marriage analogy from Ephesians 5 to illustrate the union of believers with Christ. In marriage, two distinct people become one flesh. Similarly, believers are 'unioned with Christ' spiritually, just as a husband and wife are one. This is a deep, intimate relationship where Christ is the Head and believers are the Body (Clips 5, 7).
Being 'in Christ' means believers are joint heirs with Him. As Christ is the Head, believers are members of His Body. Furthermore, God puts believers on such an even keel with Christ that as Christ is our inheritance, we are His inheritance. This is a glorious position beyond just escaping hellfire (Clip 6).
No Condemnation for Genuine Believers
Les teaches that being 'in Christ' means there is no condemnation, but this applies only to those with genuine faith and salvation, not just nominal church members.
Christ and Spirit Indwelling
Being 'in Christ' also means the Holy Spirit is in the believer, sealing them and connecting them to the risen Christ.
How to Enter the Body of Christ
God places the believer into the Body of Christ at salvation, which happens through genuine faith in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
Denomination Not Sufficient
Being part of a denomination does not put one 'in Christ'; personal faith in the cross is essential.
Proof of Eternal Life
The indwelling Holy Spirit is the proof that a person is 'in Christ' and has eternal life.
Married to Christ and Members of His Body
Believers are connected to Christ as members of His Body and are 'married' to Him, bringing forth fruit unto God.
Believers as Christ's Inheritance
Being 'in Christ' means believers are so united with Him that they are His inheritance and He is theirs.
Union with Christ as Marriage
Les compares the believer's union with Christ to the marriage relationship, emphasizing the deep spiritual connection.
Romans 8:1: There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
This is the foundational verse showing the security of the believer's position in Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:13: For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
This verse explains how believers are placed into the Body of Christ by the Spirit.
Ephesians 1:13: In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit upon believing, which is part of being 'in Christ.'
Ephesians 5:22-23: Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
This passage illustrates the relationship between Christ and believers as analogous to marriage.
Yes, according to Les, being 'in Christ' is the result of salvation. When a person genuinely believes the Gospel, God places them into the Body of Christ, making them 'in Christ.' This is not just an intellectual belief but a real, spiritual union.
No, Les teaches that the Bible does not require an emotional high or a prescribed set of rules. What matters is genuine faith in the Gospel—that Christ died, was buried, and rose again. The proof of being 'in Christ' is the indwelling Holy Spirit, not feelings.
Les teaches eternal security for those who are genuinely 'in Christ.' He qualifies that this applies to those with genuine salvation experience, not nominal church members. The Bible says there is no condemnation for those in Christ, and God's work cannot be undone by human effort.
Watch the Teaching: No Condemnation: What It Really Means to Be "In Christ"