This is a very serious subject, because only those that are "In Christ" will be saved. Paul said, "That I may win Christ, and be found IN HIM, not having my own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith" Philippians 3:9.
To be "In Christ" means that you are trusting in his righteousness and in his atonement for your salvation, plus nothing. Many are not "In Christ" because they are trusting in their religion to save them. Calvinist are trusting that they have been predestinated. Catholics are trusting in the Catholic church. Many are trusting in their good works to save them. Jesus said, "Few there be that find it" Matthew 7:14. What most have found is religion. Religion is an indication of the absence of faith. Religion is subjective, where the Gospel is objective (outside of us). We had nothing to do with our salvation. It took place over 2,000 years ago, before we were born.
"God was in Christ, reconciling us and the world unto himself" 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19. All that are "In Christ" have been reconciled to God by Jesus Christ. It was Jesus that fulfilled all of the demands of God's Holy Law for us. It was Jesus that atoned for our sins and the sins of the whole world, 1 John 2:2. Because of the doing and the dying of Jesus we now stand before God as perfect and complete "In Christ" Colossians 2:10.
Salvation is a free gift from God, Ephesians 2:8. A free gift cannot be earned or deserved, otherwise it would not be a free gift. Multitudes are trying to earn the free gift of salvation through works and religion. This is very offensive to God. "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son" John 3:16. God gives, our part is to receive what God has provided for us and not try to earn it. Many cannot accept the free gift of salvation, because they are to proud to accept it, they want to earn it. Those that are trying to earn their salvation are not "In Christ".
To be "In Christ" means that you are trusting in his righteousness and in his atonement for your salvation, plus nothing. Many are not "In Christ" because they are trusting in their religion to save them. Calvinist are trusting that they have been predestinated. Catholics are trusting in the Catholic church. Many are trusting in their good works to save them. Jesus said, "Few there be that find it" Matthew 7:14. What most have found is religion. Religion is an indication of the absence of faith. Religion is subjective, where the Gospel is objective (outside of us). We had nothing to do with our salvation. It took place over 2,000 years ago, before we were born.
"God was in Christ, reconciling us and the world unto himself" 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19. All that are "In Christ" have been reconciled to God by Jesus Christ. It was Jesus that fulfilled all of the demands of God's Holy Law for us. It was Jesus that atoned for our sins and the sins of the whole world, 1 John 2:2. Because of the doing and the dying of Jesus we now stand before God as perfect and complete "In Christ" Colossians 2:10.
Salvation is a free gift from God, Ephesians 2:8. A free gift cannot be earned or deserved, otherwise it would not be a free gift. Multitudes are trying to earn the free gift of salvation through works and religion. This is very offensive to God. "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son" John 3:16. God gives, our part is to receive what God has provided for us and not try to earn it. Many cannot accept the free gift of salvation, because they are to proud to accept it, they want to earn it. Those that are trying to earn their salvation are not "In Christ".