What does it mean to be "in Christ"?

<p>Episode 101 - Welcome to our brand new Gospel Spice series, <strong><span style="color:#27ae60;">Identity in the Battle</span></strong>. Over the course of the next eight weeks, we will take deep dives into the letter to the Ephesians with a focus on putting on our God-given identity, and then putting on the armor to fight the battles of this life, grounded in who God says we are.</p> <p>In this first episode of this new series, Stephanie ponders that <strong><span style="color:#27ae60;">embracing our identity and calling in Christ takes a lifetime</span></strong>. It is a slow process of discovering, accepting, embracing our identity--and doing this, daily by letting it change who we are, into who God created us to be. It is rooted in the simple key of finding our roots IN CHRIST.</p> <p>Paul mentions the theme of adoption much in our first chapter, so we take a deep dive into what adoption means--on earth, and in heaven. By looking at the legal and practical requirements, we taste new depths of flavors from our own declared adoption, in Christ, into the family of God as belove children. We ponder the inheritance promised to us: the freedom of children is their newfound inner spiritual freedom to choose to love God with all their strength, mind, soul and spirit and love one another as themselves.</p> <p>Friend, <span style="color:#27ae60;"><strong>intimacy with God is possible. Hearing His voice guiding you can be your reality this side of heaven</strong></span>.</p> <p>We conclude this first episode in our series by weighing the meaning of the "sealing" of the Holy Spirit. What does it mean? What can we compare it to? And how is it truly transformative? Stephanie says, "<span style="color:#27ae60;"><strong>Our true purpose cannot be realized apart from full surrender and belonging into this new family</strong></span>. <span style="color:#27ae60;"><strong>Our growing likeness to Him gives us boldness through Him</strong></span>."</p> <p>Finally, she shares, "<span style="color:#27ae60;"><em><strong>one thing