An Unspeakable Wonder: in Christ

The following is from a book by John Coblentz titled Accepted in Jesus:

"We are in Christ.

"Those who believe in Jesus are spiritually bundled up in Him.  Jesus said, 'I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me' (John 17:23).

"To be 'in Christ' is to be placed in position to receive the same love, the same acceptance, and the same approval the Father has given and continues to give to the Son. It is to enter into the glorious privileges of God's delight in His Son.  Unbelievable! But it is what the New Testament teaches clearly and repeatedly.

"Paul told the Ephesians God has 'chosen us in him before the foundation of the world' (1:4).  He has 'predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself' (1:5). He has 'made us accepted in the beloved' (1:6), 'in whom we have redemption through his blood' (1:7).

"Writing to the Romans, Paul says we were 'crucified with him' (Romans 6:6), and therefore it is also true that God 'quickened us [made us alive] together with Christ' (Ephesians 2:5) and 'raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus' (Ephesians 2:6).

"In this light we understand the grand promises and proclamations about who we are and how God views us. 'There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus' (Romans 8:1).  As it would be inconceivable that the Father would condemn the Son He loves, so it is inconceivable that He will condemn those who are spiritually in Him by faith. 

"'He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?  Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect?  It is God that justifieth' (Romans 8:32, 33).

"In Christ we are loved.  In Christ we are fully accepted.  In Christ we receive the declaration of full approval from the Father.  In Christ we have the promise of being fully received into glory for eternity.  This is an unspeakable wonder!  And it is absolutely true because it is based on the work of Christ for us and our spiritual union with Him."