Hidden in Christ

Hidden in Christ. What does the term mean? A friend of mine named Ragan who is serving on mission in Papua New Guinea related to me a wonderful example she heard. Concerning our assurance of salvation we often forget that we have been made new in Christ. We fail to put that concept together with the statement that we are "hidden in Christ" and tend to consider Jesus as the proverbial fig leaf that Adam and Eve used to cover their shame from the sight of God. However, Christ is not simply a covering like the fig leaf that serves only to hide the man. No, his covering is one of righteousness and transformation from the inside out. In other words, if we have surrendered to Jesus, our hearts HAVE BEEN changed so now the way we will live WILL BE different! We do not "put on Christ" and simply remain the same ashamed person underneath.

Consider the thought exercise Ragan gave to me:

"We often think that Jesus is like a towel: He is our shield and comes between God and us. As a result, when God looks at us, He sees Jesus Christ and HIS perfection in place of our sin. We often try to hide our sin, or just look the other way. Then, when we realize that we've made a mistake, we quickly put he shield of Jesus Christ up between God and us. We say, 'Oh God, I'm so sorry. Forgive me and look upon Christ's perfection."

That is not the gospel at all. Christ has broken down the barrier between us and God. It is finished. We no longer have to hide. We are IN Christ. When Christ died upon the cross ALL our sins were in the future. God has forgiven us once and for all. We are a new creation!"

Whether a person is saved or not, they will always only ever do exactly what they want in any moment. The difference between a disciple of Christ and a disciple of the world? The disciple of Christ learns to "destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). That is the radical, gospel-centered life of Christ's disciples for it shows that what they want to do is surrender themselves over to be used by their loving Father.