This phrase is the true title of Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians. It is the marvelous theme round which every aspect of his thought turns. Christ is the center and focus of all that he can think or write. Never, surely, in all that men have ever penned was there such an assembly of profound ideas written with such warmth and glad enthusiasm (entheosism) as in these three chapters. Christ is the Alpha and Omega of it all. An the meme catalogue of places Where Paul writes of what God has wrought “in Christ” is told the whole story of our redemption.
It was in Christ Jesus our Lord that the Father framed His eternal purpose, (3:11) the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure in him, that in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth. (1:9, 10).
In due time those who had hoped before in the Christ (1:12 RV), and had already been chosen in him before the foundation of the world (1:4), received the adoption of children through Jesus Christ ( :5 ) and have been accepted in the Beloved (1:6). Thus all things in the New Creation have been created by Jesus Christ (3:9).
It was the exceeding greatness of God’s power to those who believe—the mighty power which He wrought in Christ when He raised him from the dead and set him at His own right hand in heavenly places (1:19)—it was this power which b rough t redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace (1:17). Thus, and only thus, those who were far off were made night in the blood of Christ (2:13 RV). The old enmity has been abolished in his flesh (2:15). Gentiles also now hope in him (1:13), and by the gospel have become fellow-heirs and of the same body and partakers of the promise in Christ (3:6).
The exceeding riches of God’s grace in kindness in Jesus Christ (2:7) have so abounded to both Jew and Gentile that both are reconciled unto God through the cross (2:16). The enmity is slain, and they are become the faithful in Christ Jesus, (1:1) having not only the faith in Christ Jesus but also love towards all saints (1:19). In him they are now marked out as an inheritance (1:11); and having believed they were sealed in him with that holy Spirit of promise, the earnest of the ultimate redemption of the purchased possession (1:13, 14). Indeed, they are now blessed with every spiritual blessing—in heavenly places in Christ (1:3)—they have the knowledge of him in a spirit of wisdom and revelation (1:17); through him they have access unto the Father (2:18), an access to be used with boldness and confidence through their faith in him 3:12).
What a contrast is here with the former state of estrangement! Then they were children of disobedience, having their manner of life, not in Christ but in the lusts of the flesh fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath (2:3). They were aliens and strangers, having no hope and without God in the world (2:12). In fact (and not in theological fiction) they rewarded in trespasses and sins (2:1).
But now, with Christ dwelling in their hearts as well as they in Christ) and being rooted and grounded in love (3:17), all is changed—and still changes, for in him the whole Christ-building groweth into a holy temple in the Lord. In him they are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit (2:21, 22). And when in the fullness of time all things are put in subjection under his feet, the saints will find their lasting happiness with him as head over all things in the church, Christ himself being the fullness with which God will fill all— both saints and angels alike in all parts of his dominion. (1:22, 23, 10).
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One