Where are you?

One may read this and answer simply with their current location. Others may embrace a different approach to the question, searching themselves to identify “where” they are mentally or emotionally.

Depending on the context of the conversation, the question can be answered adequately by either of these options above. But I believe a greater and more accurate way to answer the question exists.

It is deeper than your mailing address or what you find upon introspection. It can encapsulate those things, but those things in and of themselves can’t fully answer what I mean when I ask,

“Where are you?”

Have you ever been somewhere, but not been there? All of us have days at work or school where we show up, but we’re simply a warm body in a seat. Our hearts and minds are elsewhere.  The opposite of this is “being present.” That requires us to fully engage wherever we may find ourselves. We aren’t distracted by our phones or things going on outside of the moment.

This sentiment implies that there is more to us than just our bodies or minds. It is with this understanding that the “where” question can be answered fully.

The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the church in Corinth saying that he no longer looked to the things that are seen when considering his life that outwardly was ”wasting away”. Discussing his afflictions, he observed that the things that are seen were transient and unreliable to determine his “where.” He asserted that the better and more accurate way to see oneself was by the unseen, eternal realities.

Paul put this into practice when he answered our question,

“In Christ Jesus.”

If you open up a Bible to the New Testament, or second half of the whole book, you’ll find this phrase peppered throughout. Paul uses this phrase or others that convey the same idea over 160 times. It’s used in a variety of contexts, but the thread running through each is what – or who – the preposition points towards.

Being “in Christ Jesus” is a position that cannot be marked with GPS coordinates. It isn’t often something that is immediately visible to the physical eye, though I am convinced that over time, it becomes clear.

This position, though veiled for a time from our mortal eyes, does in fact define everyone. There are ultimately two places you can find yourself.

In Christ, or not in Christ.

Metaphors only can get us so far in illustrating the supernatural, but this sort of union with God’s Son is likened to a limb being attached to a body, or a branch attached to a tree. Cut your hand off, it decays. Cut a branch off a tree, and it will wither to dust in the course of time. Similarly, there is no spiritual life outside of Christ. Only death and destruction.

So, what’s all this religious jargon mean? How does someone get to be “in Christ Jesus?” And what is “spiritual life?”

John the disciple is credited with writing the gospel of John, the last of four corroborative accounts of Jesus’ life. Near the end of his account, John writes what seems like a modern-day thesis statement:

“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” – John 20:30-31

He makes his intentions in writing clear. He wants people to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. He doesn’t write so people only know his name or become better people through listening to teachings in the account. He is after far greater things. He published this account that belief in Jesus would bring people to life.

How can write to people who are alive about having life?

Paul builds on this as he writes to the Colossian church when it seems they were tempted to forget who – or where – they were.

“Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” – Colossians 3:2-4

Once again, life, as Paul describes it, is the byproduct of being “in Christ” which John established is actuated by faith. Faith, put another way, is agreeing with Jesus in such a way that you then begin to follow Him with obedience. The life Paul talks about can only be traced back to Jesus, who is in and of Himself, the life of those who believe Him.

Just like it’s possible to be somewhere but not be there, it is possible to be alive without ever really living. We find ourselves in this situation by nature, born physically but dead to the one who gives life. This death came through our first ancestor’s sin, or rebellion against God, and it’s in this sinful condition that everyone irrespective of nation, gender, or political persuasion finds themselves.

Time and time again however, God’s word shows us the route to life. Jesus himself said as much when correcting the religious leaders of His day:

“You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you have life.” John 5:39

He follows that up later with this word to the disciples before He was crucified:

“…I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

In the work of Christ, culminating with His death on the cross and subsequent resurrection from the dead, our belief has a home. We, through the reception of this gift of Jesus, move from death to life as the cost of our sin is paid in full. Once dead in our sin, we become dead to sin. Our whereabouts no longer can adequately be described by mere physical observations. We are now in Christ Jesus.

 Maybe the question makes you squirm because, truthfully, you have no idea where you are or where you are going! I would encourage you that you aren’t the only one and I am convinced that to have no idea where you really are is the first step to finding yourself “hidden with Christ in God.” And from one wanderer to another – there is no greater place to be.

In Christ Jesus is redemption, eternal life, freedom from the law of sin and death, the immeasurable love of God, family closer than blood, purpose, grace, hope, and ultimately, a reunion with God who made you.

Find yourself in Him.

Scripture references:

2 Corinthians 4:18 – Look to what is unseen

Romans 3:24 – Redemption

Romans 6:23 – Sin brings death, Jesus brings eternal life

Romans 8:2 – Freedom from the law of sin and death

Romans 8:39 – The immeasurable love of God

Romans 12:5 & Romans 16 – Family in Christ

Ephesians 2:10 – Created in Christ Jesus for good works

1 Corinthians 1:4 – Grace of God given in Christ Jesus

1 Corinthians 15:19 – Eternal hope in Christ

2 Corinthians 5:19 – Reconciliation with God through Christ