The familiar hymn is correct in saying, “In Christ Alone (My Hope is Found).” Being a member of the church that Jesus built is a wonderful thing because, with Jesus, death will not prevail (Matt 16:18). As faithful Christians, we have hope in Jesus and can rejoice in the fact that He has given us salvation. Some have become distracted from what is most valuable about being a Christian. The most valuable aspect of our faith is Jesus Christ. It really is in Christ alone that my hope is found. The way to the soul-saving blood of Christ is through His body. It is the only place where His blood has been invested (Acts 20:28). A congregation of the Lord’s church can have the best programs, activities, or experiences around, but those things are not what frees a soul from condemnation and death. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Rom 8:1 NKJV). It is only thanks to Jesus that we can be set free, and it is those who are in Christ who are able to be reconciled to God and be set free from the bondage of sin. There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus! What else is better than that? It can only be found in Jesus, in His body, in His church.
Church, Do Not Become Discouraged
Brethren, let us not become discouraged by thinking we do not have anything to offer the world. We have the ability to introduce the world to a way of obtaining every spiritual blessing. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph 1:3). Take note that every spiritual blessing is given to those who are in Christ. By being in Christ, we can avoid condemnation and become recipients of every spiritual blessing, which ultimately means salvation. “Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (2 Tim 2:10).
Church, We Have Christ to Share!
So, what is it that the church has to offer the world? Jesus Christ, our Savior! Let us not lose focus on our mission of making disciples and baptizing them into Christ (Matt 28:18–20). What are we encouraging the world into? Let us introduce them to the gospel and teach them how to obey it. The proper teaching of the word of God, which leads to baptism, is how they are placed into Christ and bury that old body of sin.
Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Rom 6:3–7
Again, Scripture will ensure that we understand this essential task, baptism and that it is the means by which we are placed into Christ. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal 3:27). Church, be excited to offer the lost the way to no condemnation, the way to every spiritual blessing, and the way to salvation. After they have been properly placed into Christ through baptism, let us focus on ways of edification, but first, lead them to the way in Christ. “In Christ alone, my hope is found.”
