Therefore if any person is [ENGRAFTED] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold the fresh and new has come!
(2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP)

Jesus took our guilt, shame, sin, death, and curse so that we could be free. Mark Hankins

The two words In Christ are the most important words used by the Apostle Paul in the New Testament. These words are the key to opening the secrets of the Gospel. A. J. Gordon said it this way, “These two words, ‘In Christ’ give us profound insight into the Divine method of salvation. These two words open to us mysteries and secrets that were hidden for ages and generations.” We have been “In Christ-ed.” There are over one hundred thirty scriptures that use the phrases “In Christ, In Him, and In Whom.” What do these phrases mean?

We have been engrafted into Christ. He is the vine and we are the branches. We were engrafted into His death that we might be one with His resurrection and victory. He was made to be sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

Confession: I have been engrafted into Christ! I am a new creation. I have been made the righteousness of God in Christ! (2 Corinthians 5:21)

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? (Romans 8:32)

We look a lot better in Christ than we do outside of Him.
Mark Hankins

If you have ever watched a football game on TV, you might have heard the announcers giving a commentary about the game. Let’s say they were talking about a particular player, say number 65 (my number in high school) that is being pounded by the other team.

Then the coach says, “I’ve got a plan.” He pulls number 65 out and replaces him with the strongest man on the team.

That’s what God did for us when He sent Jesus to die in our place. God put Jesus in number 65’s (mankind’s) jersey. Number 65 was then put back on the field, and the whole picture changed. The announcer then would say, “You know, something has happened to number 65. He’s moving the ball all over the field now.”

Before man was identified with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, he had been whipped all over by depression, discouragement, fear, failure, shame, and guilt. But now, number 65 is winning and he’s dominating!

Confession: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. (Galatians 2:20)

For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

At the cross, God was working “in” Christ, but He was working “on” us.
Mark Hankins

When looking at a group picture, the first thing you look for is yourself. The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is a “group picture.” You need to look for yourself in the group picture of redemption. You were included on the cross and were there in His resurrection and triumph.

The greatest of all revelations in the Bible is in Paul’s New Testament letters. James Stalker said, “Paul’s letters contain the thoughts that Jesus carried away from this world unuttered. They are the advanced teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Apostle Paul gives us the great facts of redemption. He explains what happened in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Everything Jesus did, He did for us and has set it to the credit of our account as though we did it. We were identified with Him.

Confession: Even when I was dead in sins, God quickened me together with Christ. By His grace I am saved. He has raised me up and made me to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:5-6)