Lynda Hickman Supporter Homemaker, plumber, carpenter, all around gearhead

Living in Christ & Christ alive in us, & thinking of the Q about the alabaster box. 
As believers IN Christ Jesus, we are essentially His alabaster box. 

We contain the sweetest of perfumes, the greatest of beauty, the most wondrous of wisdom & knowledge & unimaginable glory, all because we have within us His Holy Spirit. 

Every time we share His gospel & His Word of Truth with someone, His presence within us is displayed & we are poured out as an offering to Him.

We cannot be alive in Him unless He is alive in us. 
Just as a huge whale, lives & is supported by the ocean, we who are alive "IN Christ", live & are supported by His Spirit Who dwells within us.
Without or within, we can't exist unless He is our source.

Jesus said we were to be "one" - John 17:21; in Romans 8:4 & 18, by His servant Paul, Jesus said the righteousness of the law would be fulfilled "in us" & His glory would be revealed "in us." 

In Ep 3:20 we are told that His power (dynamis) works "in us" & His Holy Spirit dwells "in us." 
In Col 1:27 we read that as Christ is "in" us, we hold the revealed mystery, the riches & hope of glory which is Christ "in us", & that mystery, those riches & that glory we are to warn & teach to everyone.

We know His truth & His Word should be "in us", 1 Jn 1:8 & 10; we know that He is "in us" & we are "in Him" by His Spirit that He has given to us, 1 Jn 3:24 & 4:13 & shall be with us forever, 2 Jn 1:2. 

Our modern language has several uses of the preposition "in." But the NT speaks of a "place" in particular, within the interior space of, like being "in" a room, "in" the dark or "in" the light. 

If we are "in" Him & He is "in" us, it was by His grace, His compassion & His righteousness, that even as we were walking in darkness, His light broke through that darkness & called us by name into His marvelous light.

There is no other place to be!

April 01 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Ezekiel Kimosop Supporter

Living in Christ and Christ living in us are two parts of the same coin. One cannot be truly living in Christ if the transforming grace of Christ is not evident in their lives. 

Let us for a moment try to synchronize the two phrases.

A person living in Christ is one upon whom the atoning grace of Christ has been imputed, having repented from sin and whose name is therefore written in the book of life. He is s child of God (John 1:12)

Living in Christ can also be an infinite verb suggesting that one is continually in communion and fellowship with Christ (John 15:7). This is probably a more appropriate dimension of this phrase because it underpins the dynamic nature of our relationship with God. It implies that the believer is careful to walk in obedience each day. Seeking the leading of Christ in his walk and allowing the power of Scriptural truths to serve as his daily compass (Psalm 119:105).


When we speak of Christ living in us, we mean that Jesus is in full control of our lives and that we are inclined to him in obedience (2 John 1:6), faith (Hebrews 11:1,6), holiness (1Peter 1:16), and hope (Titus 2:11-14). 

We are sanctified set apart from this evil world (John 17:17) in order to glorify God who has translated us from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of His dear Son (Col.1:13). It is for this reason reason that 2 Corinthians 6:14 asks “…for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?"

While God cannot dwell in a sinful vessel, this does not mean that we are to be sinless or that we can be fully perfect but that we should incline our hearts to the Lord at all times so that we can by His grace be in spiritual consonance with His Spirit and always repent where we are conscious of any sinful inclinations. 

King Hezekiah cried to God saying in Isaiah 38:3 “Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight.”

Of course King Hezekiah was not perfect but he was inclined to obedience and by this he touched the heart of God. Can we? 

Is Christ living in us and are we living in Christ? This is a question that calls for self examination for every child of God.

April 08 2015 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What is the difference between living in Christ and Christ living in me?

The Bible uses both expressions to describe a believer's relationship with Christ, but each highlights a different truth.

Living in Christ

Living in Christ speaks of a believer's position before God. Through faith, a person becomes united with Christ and shares in the blessings of salvation.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Being in Christ means having a new identity, a new standing before God, and a new family. It is what God has done for the believer.

Daily example:
When a Christian struggles with failure or weakness, he can remember that his acceptance before God rests on Christ, not on personal performance. He belongs to Christ even when circumstances are difficult.

Christ Living in Me

Christ living in me speaks of His active work within the believer through the Holy Spirit.

"I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." (Galatians 2:20)

This describes Christ shaping thoughts, attitudes, words, and actions. His character becomes increasingly visible in everyday life.

Daily example:
When someone speaks harshly, the natural reaction may be anger. Christ living in the believer produces patience, self-control, and a gracious response.

Another example is choosing honesty when dishonesty would bring personal advantage. The believer acts differently because Christ's influence guides the decision.

How They Work Together

These two truths complement one another.

Living in Christ is the foundation. It describes who the believer is.

Christ living in me expresses that relationship. It describes how the believer lives.

Jesus illustrated this with the picture of a vine and branches:

"Abide in me, and I in you." (John 15:4)

The branch receives life from the vine, and the vine's life produces fruit through the branch.

Practical examples:

Living in Christ provides confidence during times of guilt; Christ living in me produces a desire to change.
Living in Christ gives peace during uncertainty; Christ living in me produces trust instead of anxiety.
Living in Christ provides security in God's love; Christ living in me enables love toward difficult people.
Living in Christ gives access to God's grace; Christ living in me produces kindness, humility, and service.
Conclusion

Living in Christ means belonging to Him and sharing in all that He has provided through salvation. Christ living in me means His life is transforming the believer from within each day. One speaks of a secure relationship with Christ; the other speaks of His continuing work in shaping character and conduct. Together they describe both the believer's standing before God and the daily experience of walking with Him.

Spiritual growth comes as God shapes a person's character through daily experiences, decisions, and dependence upon Him. Growth is seen when old attitudes give way to godly qualities, and when wisdom guides responses to life's challenges.

"Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2)

Growth also comes through learning to rely on God's strength rather than personal ability.

"My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Practical signs of growth include showing mercy when offended, exercising self-control under temptation, making choices that honour God, and serving others with a willing heart.

"Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge." (2 Peter 1:5)

A growing believer becomes increasingly shaped by God's wisdom, displaying a life marked by maturity, discernment, and faithfulness.

3 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report