Jesus: Our All in All – What This Really Means:

Jesus: Our All in All – What This Really Means:

Wisdom: More Than Knowledge

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom” (1 Corinthians 1:30). The world clamors for knowledge, yet true wisdom, the kind that leads to life and godliness, originates from God (Proverbs 2:6). Jesus, the embodiment of divine wisdom (Colossians 2:3), offers us more than mere intellectual understanding. He provides a deep, experiential knowing of God’s will and purpose.

Being “in Christ Jesus” grants us access to this divine wisdom through the Holy Spirit. He illuminates our minds to comprehend God’s Word (Psalm 119:18), guides us in making godly decisions (Proverbs 3:5-6), and empowers us to live a life that honors Him (James 1:5). This wisdom is not merely theoretical; it’s practical, transforming our understanding of life and equipping us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Righteousness: Imputed to Us

“who of God is made unto us…righteousness” (1 Corinthians 1:30). We are born sinners, separated from God by our own failings (Romans 3:23). Our good deeds cannot earn God’s favor, for even our best efforts are tainted by sin (Romans 7:18).

God, in His infinite mercy, provides a way to become righteous: through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus lived a perfect life, fulfilling the law that we could not (Romans 8:3). He then took our sin upon Himself on the cross, paying the penalty we deserved (Isaiah 53:5-6). When we believe in Jesus, His righteousness is imputed to us – it becomes ours (Romans 4:5). We are declared righteous in God’s sight, not because of our own merit, but solely because of Christ’s atoning work (2 Corinthians 5:21). This righteousness is not just a legal declaration; it’s a transformative power that begins to work in our hearts, enabling us to live more and more like Christ (Romans 6:1-11).

Sanctification: Growing in Grace

“who of God is made unto us…sanctification” (1 Corinthians 1:30). Sanctification is the ongoing process of being made holy, set apart for God’s purposes. It’s a lifelong journey of becoming more like Jesus. While our justification (being declared righteous) is a one-time event, sanctification is a continuous work of the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

This sanctification is rooted in the person of Jesus. He is the Holy One (Acts 3:14), and as we abide in Him, the Holy Spirit conforms us to His image (Romans 8:29). Sanctification involves the mortification of sin (Romans 8:13) and the vivification of the spirit (Ephesians 2:1-10). It’s a process of growth, of being pruned and shaped by God, so that we can bear more fruit for His glory (John 15:1-8).

Redemption: Bought Back for God

“who of God is made unto us…redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). Redemption speaks of being bought back from slavery. We were once slaves to sin and death, bound by its chains (Romans 6:23).

Jesus, through His sacrifice on the cross, paid the ultimate price for our freedom (1 Peter 1:18-19). He redeemed us from the power of sin and the penalty of death (Colossians 1:13-14). This redemption is not just freedom from condemnation; it’s also freedom for something – freedom to live a life of purpose and meaning, a life devoted to God. It’s a freedom to know God intimately, to experience His love and grace, and to walk in the fullness of His purpose for our lives (Galatians 5:1,13).

In essence, 1 Corinthians 1:30 reveals that Jesus is not just a part of our salvation; He is the source and sum total of it. He is our wisdom, our righteousness, our sanctification, and our redemption. These are not separate gifts; they are all intertwined and flow from His person. As we abide in Him, as we draw near to Him, we experience the fullness of these blessings. The Christian life is not about striving to attain these qualities on our own; it’s about resting in the reality that they are already ours in Christ Jesus. It’s about looking to Him, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), and trusting that He will continue to work in us, transforming us into His likeness, until the day we see Him face to face (1 John 3:2).