The “In” and “out” of Christianity
I think it is timely that I would begin a Blog here at Open Door Access at the beginning of the Christmas season. This was not really my plan to launch in 2022, but after I was finished with the content of this blog, I wrote the title out and then decided this would be a great time to launch it. It all just seemed to make sense. I hope you enjoy and Merry Christmas everyone!
The In and Out of Christianity
Did you know that Jesus' entry as a babe into the human race was met with…. "sorry there's no room at the Inn"? Wow! have you ever felt like this in your life? I know I have. Like, wanting to be "in" with the popular kids or "in" a different family or even "in" another place and time. Well, we are in good company! Jesus could have said those very things too. But that was not the "in" that had value to him or to us.
This year my church spent time going through the book of John in the Bible and I can't tell you how many times I saw that Jesus had an "in" with His Father. One thing that stood out to me, was that because He was "in" His Father, he walked in full confidence as he faced daily challenges.
Jesus was written about in the Bible by men that were witnesses of His ministry life, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. In those accounts and others, you will find these two words "In Christ" over 90 times, which began me pondering how important it must be to know Jesus as the "In". And even more importantly that I have an in, with Him. Let me explain....
Recently, I shared at a women's retreat in Colorado about what a newly adopted child can go through after they have left an orphanage. They get a new name, they get new parents, they get a new home and so on. But, at first they don't know anything about these new things they possess, all they know is they left one place and entered into another. For a while they live as an occupant of the house, just like at the orphanage. They may even look at the new parents no different than the people who were placed over them at the old orphanage. In the beginning of the new relationship the child may ask questions like...Will they forget me today? Will they feed me today? Will they protect me today? The child brings their experiences with them from the old life and doesn't know how to live any other way. The relationship is in place but the identity and security have not been established yet in their mind. A lot of Christians live this way too! They got into the family of God, but brought with them their old habits and ways to cope in their lives, not realizing that there is a whole new inheritance they have in Christ.
So, how does one begin to live the new "In Christ" life? Just like this newly adopted little child, it's on the parents to show up, love up, put up and hug up. Sounds pretty simple but it is indeed the way it works.
This is what God offered Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden in the book of Genesis. He showed up regularly for their walks, to talk, spend time and to let them get to know Him and be loved by Him. A verse that is dear to me is the one that says He will never leave me nor forsake me, what a wonderful promise from my Father. So, just like the newly adopted child, I come to know my Father, because He shows up in Christ to be known. They share themselves with me and teach me and love me through their faithfulness and provision. Trusting Him moment by moment day after day as He remains faithful to me is the only "in" I'm interested in.
As far as the "outs" well....there are none! when it comes to the family of God, once "in" always "In" . I once heard it's like running water through coffee grounds and then trying to take the water back out. You can't! You just can't! They can never be separated! I've heard other great analogies, but since I'm definitely a coffee gal, I just had to get it in here somewhere. See, you're getting to know me already.
In future blogs, I'd like to expound on "in" more in depth. This is only the beginning and I'm looking forward to showing up, spending time and getting to be known as we share in this "in Christ" Life.
There is always room in His In,
So, come on in!
Scripture references:
John 14:20 MSG
18-20 “I will not leave you orphaned. I’m coming back. In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you’re going to see me because I am alive and you’re about to come alive. At that moment you will know absolutely that I’m in my Father, and you’re in me, and I’m in you.
Luke 2:7 KJV
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
John 13:5-6 MSG
Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?
Genesis 3:8a KJV
And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day:
Romans 5:15 PHILLIPS
But the gift of God through Christ is a very different matter from the “account rendered” through the sin of Adam. For while as a result of one man’s sin death by natural consequence became the common lot of men, it was by the generosity of God, the free giving of the grace of one man Jesus Christ, that the love of God overflowed for the benefit of all men.