Do You Function as an In-Christ Person or an In-Adam Person?

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, the Bible says that you are “in Christ.” What this means is that you have been placed in Christ positionally. The question becomes for us, “Do you function as an in-Christ person or an in-Adam person?”

In-Adam People

An in-Adam person is one who does not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Essentially, this is the opposite of one who follows Jesus. As defined earlier, the Bible says that one who gets saved transitions from an in-Adam person to an in-Christ person. What do we know about those who are only in Adam?

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive (1 Cor 15:22).

In Adam describes the person without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This person is spiritually dead. As a spiritually dead person, everything in life encompasses the flesh and the desires of the flesh. The Bible refers to this as the “old man.”

 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned (Rom 5:12).

This one man was Adam. Spiritually speaking, all men are in Adam. He is our earthly father. Catch these key phrases of Paul as he describes those who are in Adam:

• Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— 
• Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 
• For if by the one man’s offense many died,…
• And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation,…
• For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one,…
• Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation,…
• For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners,… (Rom 5:12-19)

As an in-Adam person, you are dead in trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1-10). You walk according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, according to the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also you conduct yourself in the lusts of your flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and are by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

You cannot please God. You function out of your old sinful disposition. All those who are in Adam since Adam and Eve have functioned as those who love the world and the things in the world. As this person loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world (1 John 2:15-16).

What about Functionally in-Adam people?

If you live as a follower of Christ as if you are still primarily an in-Adam person, then you live functionally in Adam. In other words, you live according to the world and not according to Christ. Instead, you follow the desires of the flesh, of the eyes, and the pride of life.

Possibly, you functionally live as an in-Adam person because you turn to the world or the world system as your authority in life. Instead of reading the Bible, considering what it teaches, and living your life in accordance to it, you live according to values, lifestyle, and judgement of the world. The psalmist describes it in terms of happiness:

Blessed is the man – the follower of Christ
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, – the plans and values of the world
Nor stands in the path of sinners, – the lifestyle of the world
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; – the judgements and antagonism of the world

The reason the psalmist says that the person who does not do these things is blessed accentuates the fact that those who follow God can live this way.

Living as an in-Adam person, according to the prince and power of the air, and according to your own desires rather than Christ’s only produces complications, heartache, and a hard lifestyle. You live according to the flesh which produces the works of the flesh in all its varied manifestations. Life gets harder, and the joy of being in Christ is lost.

In-Christ People

Instead, the person who enjoys forgiveness for his or her sins and positionally being in Christ should live according to this privileged position. Consider these key verses:

• I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, (Eph 4:1)
• Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him (2 Cor 5:9).
• Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Cor 5:17).
• If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory (Col 3:1-4).

1. Reading, studying, considering, and memorizing God’s Word
2. Asking how the Bible applies to present life situations, values, and judgements
3. Praying for wisdom to apply God’s Word to life’s pressures
4. Doing what the Bible says to do in order to honor God
5. Living embedded with other Christians who desire to honor God
6. Recognizing the Bible as the authority for all of one’s life – including one’s values, attitudes, thoughts, desires, words, and actions
7. Testing opportunities in front of you to determine what is excellent – that which honors God, exalts Christ, and demonstrates love toward others
8. Use your energy by love to serve others