WE TURN NOW to Hebrews where the “in Christ” passages are scarce; there are only two. One of them says: “For we share in Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end” (3:14). This one is important—“we share in Christ.” To be in Christ is to share in Christ. It is thinkable that we might be in Christ and not share in Christ, as it is thinkable to be in a rich man’s home and not share in his riches. But here we are told that to be in Christ is to share in everything in Him. All He has is yours.
When you go into a rich man’s house in India, he will politely say, “It is all yours,” but it is a pleasant politeness. It may be like a man who promised his god that if he had a bumper crop he would give half to the idol. His wife pulled his sleeve and said, “It’s too much.” The man wiggled his tongue—the sign among the Tamils of South India that you are saying something you do not really mean!
In Jesus Christ, there is neither pleasant politeness nor the wiggling of the tongue; promises are meant. All Christ has is yours if you are in Him—yours for the taking. The rub is in the last—yours for the taking. The motto of a movement, “God gives, man refuses to take,” is true here. Many are in Christ but are comparatively poor. Here is Christ’s everything—His strength for our weakness; His wisdom for our ignorance; His holiness for our sin; His guidance for our confusion; His companionship for our loneliness; His fullness for our emptiness; His love for our lovelessness; His all for our all. It is all there for the taking. I can be strong in His strength, pure in His purity, loving in His love, and mature in His maturity. I share in the highest there is. My emptiness is a crime against this. My littleness is treason against His greatness. Let me share with both hands and a whole heart.
Dear Lord Jesus, the wonder that Thou hast thrown open Thy everything to me puts me in the dust, and yet makes me tingle with expectation. It is all mine, and I refuse to accept my poverty—I take Thy riches. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: I will share in Christ to the limit of my capacity to receive.
