What should one do to be “in Christ”?

1. What does it mean to be “in Christ”?

Union with Christ – To be “in Christ” means being joined to Him spiritually, like branches to the vine (John 15:4–5). Paul uses this phrase to describe believers’ new identity, where Christ’s life, death, and resurrection are applied to them.

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Cor 5:17).

Justification and Righteousness – Being “in Christ” means God counts us righteous, not by our works, but through faith in Him.

“The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe” (Rom 3:22).

“Not having a righteousness of my own… but that which comes through faith in Christ” (Phil 3:9).

Freedom and Life – In Christ we are delivered from sin, death, and condemnation.

“No condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1).

“The law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:2).

“As in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Cor 15:22).

Adoption and Belonging – In Christ we become sons and daughters of God, members of His body, and sharers of His promises.

“In Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith” (Gal 3:26).

“We, though many, are one body in Christ” (Rom 12:5).

“Gentiles are fellow heirs… in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (Eph 3:6).

Grace and Blessings – Every spiritual blessing, grace, strength, and hope are given to us “in Christ.”

“Blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing” (Eph 1:3).

“Be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim 2:1).

Perseverance and Glory – To be “in Christ” means that nothing can separate us from God’s love, and our eternal glory is secure.

“Nothing… will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:39).

“The God of all grace… has called you to his eternal glory in Christ” (1 Pet 5:10).

2. How does one become “in Christ”?

By Faith in Christ – Over and over again Paul emphasizes that it is faith, not works, that unites us with Christ.

“Justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law” (Gal 2:16).

“The promise by faith in Jesus Christ [is] given to those who believe” (Gal 3:22).

By God’s Grace – It is God who places us “in Christ,” not our effort.

“You are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God” (1 Cor 1:30).

“Saved… not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim 1:9).

By the Holy Spirit – The Spirit baptizes us into union with Christ and His body.

“By one Spirit we were all baptized into one body” (1 Cor 12:13, explains the same truth).

3. What should one do to be “in Christ”?

Believe in Jesus Christ – Trust Him as Lord and Savior (Acts 24:24; Rom 3:22).

Receive His Grace – Acknowledge that salvation is God’s gift in Christ, not earned by works (Rom 3:24; Eph 2:8–10).

Repent and Live a New Life – Consider yourself dead to sin and alive to God in Christ (Rom 6:11).

Walk by Faith and Love – Continue to live in Him, strengthened by His grace (Gal 5:6; Phil 2:1–5; Eph 4:32).

Remain in Him to the End – Hold fast your confidence in Christ and endure, knowing your eternal inheritance is secure (Heb 3:14; 2 Tim 2:10).

In summary:

To be in Christ means to be united with Him by faith through the Spirit, so that His death, resurrection, righteousness, and life all belong to us. It changes our identity (a new creation), our standing before God (justified, forgiven, adopted), our community (one body), our present walk (freedom, grace, good works), and our future (eternal glory).

We become “in Christ” by faith — trusting Him, receiving His grace, turning from sin to new life, and walking daily in union with Him.