What We have IN Christ!

Philippians 2:1 Dissected and Defined

What we have IN Christ!

Philippians 2:1 (KJV) ¹ If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

An effective method of meditating on the Scriptures is to dissect and define a verse or passage of God's Word. Here is Philippians 2:1 dissected and defined.

Consolation = Comfort; alleviation of misery, or distress of mind; refreshment of mind or spirits; a comparative degree of happiness in distress or misfortune, springing from any circumstance that abates the evil, or supports and strengthens the mind, as hope, joy, courage and the like.

Comfort = a word which comes to the side of one to stimulate or comfort him; hence an exhortation, an encouragement.

Love = affection or benevolence

Fellowship = companionship, social communication

Bowels = inward affection, pity or kindness

Mercies = pity, compassion

What we have IN Christ:

1. Consolation IN Christ: In Christ our misery and distress from the unpleasant circumstances of life are comforted. He replaces our misery with hope, joy, and courage. Jesus Christ is our comfort, our source of having our misery alleviated.

2. Comfort of Love: In Christ we have one who will come to our side to encourage us in life. He will comfort us with his love, affection, and benevolence.

3. Fellowship of the Spirit: In Christ we are given the Holy Spirit to abide in us. We have companionship, social communication with the Holy Spirit of God!

4. Bowels and Mercies: In Christ we experience His affection in our hearts. We know His kindness. We receive His pity.

Paul writing to the Christians at Philippi reminds them of what they have in Christ. The word if is an interesting choice that means since. Since they had trusted Jesus Christ as Savior this is what they have. Putting the sentence back together we see all that is ours in Christ. He replaces our misery with His joy, His hope, His courage. He comes by our side to encourage us with His love, His affection, and His acts of benevolence. He gives us the Holy Spirit to indwell us and to have communication with us as we journey through life. He places His affection in our hearts and we know His kindness and pity.

If you are not saved, trust Christ today as your Savior. If you are saved, walk with Him today! Enjoy all the benefits of being IN CHRIST!