To Be “In Christ Jesus”

by Dan Richardson

In Galatians 3:23-29, four characteristics are associated with being “in Christ Jesus.” Let’s consider them …

In Christ Jesus We Are Justified By Faith (Galatians 3:23-25). Two periods of time are spoken of – before and after faith came. “Before faith” pinpoints when man was enslaved to sin, “held captive under the law” (i.e., law of Moses). “After faith” sprang from Jesus’ arrival in the world (“the fulness of times,” Galatians 4:4), and the sinner’s redemption through His blood became a reality.

Also, two contrasts are brought to light – justification by works of the law of Moses versus justification through faith in Christ Jesus. The animal sacrifices of the Old Testament could not save sinners (Hebrews 10:4). However, the New Testament, ratified by the blood of God’s Son, can save (Matthew 26:28; I Peter 1:18-20). Failure to distinguish between the Old and New covenants remains a source of much error and confusion today.

Salvation under Moses’ law was unattainable because it was a system of meritorious works, demanding sinless law keeping, which is impossible for man to do (“all sin,” Romans 3:23). By contrast, in Christ Jesus the sinner is justified by his faith, trusting in God’s grace and mercy (Romans 3:24; Galatians 2:16, 20-21; I John 1:7-9).

In Christ Jesus A Saving Faith Is An Obedient Faith (Galatians 3:26-27). What justifies sinners (verse 24), makes them “sons of God” (verse 26), namely “faith.” Observe just here that the word “only” is not found associated with faith in the scripture text. Therefore, it is erroneous to conclude that man’s salvation is by “faith only” without any obedient response on man’s part. To so conclude necessitates man adding to what God’s word says (a practice sternly forbidden by God, Revelation 22:18-19).

The nature of saving faith has always demanded obedience on man’s part (Hebrews 11:8). The justification by faith taught by Paul in Romans included “the obedience of faith” (Romans 1:5; cf. 6:17; 16:19). This relationship is entered through gospel obedience, involving a spiritual death/crucifixion to sin (Romans 6:3, 6-7; Galatians 2:20), and a spiritual resurrection as a new creation to live a new life (Romans 6:4; II Corinthians 5:17). Absorption in a materialistic/carnal world without God is replaced with the joy of “seeking first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33; Colossians 3:1-3).

While so many today disparage a connection between faith and baptism, the apostle Paul specifies it as faith’s necessary action: “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (verse 27; cf. Colossians 2:12). Of the nature of saving faith, Paul later states it is a “faith working through love” (Galatians 5:6).

In Christ Jesus God’s People Have Unity (Galatians 3:28). “For you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Human prejudices, based on race, station in life, and/or sex, are rampant in this sinful world. But of God’s people Jesus prayed, “that they all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:21). It is a unity based on love for God and fellow Christians (John 13:34-35; I Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:1-6).

Tragically, religious unity has been lost to many professing Christ. The attitudes necessary for Christian unity (Ephesians 4:1-3; I Corinthians 1:10; Philippians 2:1-4), and the doctrinal platform upon which it must stand (Ephesians 4:4-6) are forsaken. “In Christ Jesus” is the “heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3) where true unity will be found. Anything otherwise is mere lip service (Luke 6:46).

In Christ Jesus We Are Abraham’s Offspring (Galatians 3:29). Understanding this requires scanning back 2,000 years before Christ, when God made His covenant promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3). This is laid out into three basic parts – 1) Abraham’s descendants would become a great nation, 2) God would give the nation of Israel a promised land, Canaan, and 3) In Abraham all nations of the earth would be blessed. The Old Testament reveals the fulfillment of parts 1 and 2; the New Testament, part 3.

In Galatians 3, Jesus is shown to be the fulfillment of Abraham’s promise, part 3 (verse 16). Thus, Paul concludes that they who are “Christ’s … are “Abraham’s offspring … heirs according to the promise,” defining how all nations of the earth would be spiritually blessed (verse 29).

In the words of the apostle Paul, God’s focus now is not upon the fleshly lineage of Abraham but upon a spiritual one: “For no one is a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God” (Romans 2:28-29). May God be praised and glorified for His rich blessings to they who are “in Christ Jesus.” Amen.

From: The author’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/dan.richardson.923519); November 1, 2025