In Christ

I've come home from NTE in Canberra and mission to Valley Presbyterian church in Mernda, Melbourne, full to the brim with lessons learnt. From faithful teaching at NTE about what it truly means to be 'in Christ':

• to be Found in Christ (Philippians 3:1-11),
• to be Saved in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:6-21) we are so united to Jesus when we put our trust in his life, death and resurrection that his righteousness and perfection is placed on us;
• to be Right in Christ (Galatians 3:11-29) through relying totally and utterly on Jesus, we can have a relationship with God because we have had our sin taken away;
• to be Holy in Christ (Romans 6:15-23) we have been released from living in sin like we were and now can live guilt-free, as sons and daughters of God- because of the sacrifice Jesus made for us God can have us close to him. Live to love, to patience, compassion, kindness, mercy and grace, treating others better than they treat us (Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 4:32), live to Christ;
• to be Gathered in Christ (1 Corinthians 12:1-27) wherever we are around the world, followers of Christ (Ephesians 2:19-22), people of God in lifestyle not only name should be gathered together as a church, the one body. To hurt another in the church is to hurt Christ himself as we are him, here on earth (Colossians 1:1-18).
• and lastly, to be Proclaiming Christ (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 10:9-36; Colossians 1:28, 4:5-6) and "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect"(1 Peter 3:15) so "that we may present everyone perfect in Christ Jesus" (Colossians 1:28)

Mission to Melbourne taught me to remember the importance of unity in Christ, that I have learnt and shared above, in the times of struggle just as much as the times of success. PTL (praise the Lord) if we are not united in Christ we are not the body of Christ in words or practise.