daily-devotionals

Reading: “A man in Christ”—2 Corinthians 12:2

What is suggested in this motto, “a man in Christ?” Do you fully understand what this phrase implies? Now, who shall fully describe it, or who is competent fully to conceive the whole extent of it?

A man in Christ” must imply every thing connected with a one- ness, a union, a part of himself; yea, “a life hid with Christ in God.” “A man in Christ” is as much a part in Christ’s mystical body, as the head, or hand, or foot, is a part of that body to which those members belong. Hence, every one who is “a man (or a woman) in Christ,” is, to all intents and purposes, interested in all that belongs to Christ. It must also undeniably follow that every member of Christ’s body—the least, as well as the greatest, the humblest as well as the highest—becomes a part in Him, is equally united to Him, and participates in what belongs to Him.

The life of grace here and the life of glory hereafter, being both derived from Christ, and enjoyed wholly from a union with Him, are therefore equally enjoyed; just as the smallest leaf or branch united to a tree becomes a part of that tree, as much as the largest branches. Christian, can you enter into a happy apprehension of these truths? Are you “a man in Christ” by regeneration, adoption, justification, and grace? Oh! then, turn these thoughts over in your constant meditation. Calculate the blessed inheritance to which you are begotten by it—of grace here and glory for all eternity.

“A man in Christ” is accepted in Christ, justified in Christ, sanctified in Christ, and must assuredly be glorified in Christ. If you think of these things, and through the Holy Ghost are conscious of an interest in them, you can suffer the exercises of a dying world that bring affliction into the soul. For “a man in Christ” is brought into a life of dignity, a state of security and an endless prospect of glory.

Taken from The Poor Man’s Evening and Morning Portions by Rev. Robert Hawker, Works, Vol. 8; 1830. Edited by Aaron Dunlop for thinkgospel.com ©2014.