Uniting Heaven and Earth
Christ in Philippians and Colossians
Lesson 6 - Wednesday
The Faith of Christ
One of Paul’s most powerful and repeated phrases is the simple expression “in Him.” To be found “in Christ” is not merely a poetic way of describing belief; it is the heart of the Christian experience. It describes a complete change of standing, identity, and hope. For Paul, everything that truly matters flows from this union with Christ.
Ephesians 1:4 tells us that God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world. Our salvation was not an afterthought or a reaction to human failure; it was rooted in Christ from eternity. God’s plan was always to place humanity back into right relationship with Himself through His Son. Being “in Him” means that our lives are now caught up in God’s eternal purpose, not defined by our past or our failures.
In 2 Corinthians 5:21, Paul explains how this union becomes possible: Christ, who knew no sin, became sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. This is not a transfer of good behavior but a transfer of status. Our sin is laid on Christ, and His righteousness is credited to us. To be “in Christ” means we stand before God clothed in something we could never produce on our own.
Colossians 2:9 reminds us that in Christ “all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily.” Our faith does not rest in a partial Savior or a diminished Christ. The One we are united to possesses the fullness of divine life and power. This makes our union secure. If Christ lacked anything, our salvation would be fragile. But because He is fully God, being “in Him” means we are connected to an unfailing source of life and grace.
Galatians 2:20 brings this truth into daily experience: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” To be found in Christ is not only a legal declaration; it is a living reality. Our old self—defined by self-reliance and self-justification—has been put to death. Now Christ lives His life in us, and we live by faith in the Son of God. This is what many have called “the faith of Christ”—not merely faith in Him, but faith that flows from His faithfulness and obedience, working itself out in our lives.
Philippians 3:9 brings all of this into sharp focus. Paul contrasts two kinds of righteousness: one that comes from the law and one that comes through faith in Christ. The first is “my own righteousness,” built on performance, comparison, and effort. The second is the righteousness that comes from God, received by faith. This contrast is crucial because the human heart constantly drifts back toward self-reliance. Even sincere believers can begin to measure their standing with God by how well they are doing spiritually.
Paul never forgot that his greatest danger was not open rebellion, but subtle confidence in himself. To always remember this contrast keeps us humble, grateful, and dependent. Our assurance rests not in how strong our faith feels, but in the faithfulness of Christ. When we are found in Him, our salvation is secure because it depends on what He has done, not on what we manage to do.
To be “in Christ” is to live from a place of rest rather than striving, of gratitude rather than fear. It means trusting that the same Christ who justified us also lives in us, sustaining us day by day by His faithfulness.
Prayer
Father in heaven,
Thank You for the gift of being found in Christ. We confess how easily we trust in our own righteousness and forget that our only hope is Jesus. Teach us to rest fully in what He has done for us and in us. Let His faithfulness be our confidence, His life be our life, and His righteousness be our joy. Keep us humble, grateful, and dependent on You each day. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
More on Lesson 6 Confidence Only in Christ
This Quarter's Sabbath School Lessons Here: Christ in Philippians and Colossians
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