True Safety: Being 'In Christ' for Salvation
Summary
Standing on the USS Torsk in Baltimore Harbor, I am reminded of a poignant story from its history. The submarine, despite its many missions, lost only one crew member, Seaman Joseph Snow. His tragic loss serves as a powerful lesson. During a chaotic moment, Snow was on deck when the submarine began to submerge. Unbeknownst to the crew, he was left on top and ultimately lost his life. This story illustrates a crucial spiritual truth: proximity to God is not the same as being in a saving relationship with Him.
You can be surrounded by believers, attend church regularly, and even wear the outward signs of faith, yet still miss the essential covering that only comes from being in Christ. Just as the other seamen were safe inside the submarine, we must be "in Christ" to be truly secure. Jesus Christ's sacrifice offers us this covering. The Bible describes this as being "in Christ," a state achieved when we trust Him as our personal Savior, relying solely on His sacrifice for our sins and the gift of eternal life.
It's a call to move beyond mere religious rituals, good deeds, or affiliations, which can leave us isolated and vulnerable. Instead, we are invited to enter into the safety and assurance that comes from being covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. This is the only place that guarantees eternal safety and deliverance.
Key Takeaways:
- Proximity vs. Relationship: Being near God or involved in religious activities is not enough. True safety and salvation come from a personal relationship with Christ, where we are covered by His sacrifice. This relationship is akin to being inside the submarine, fully protected and secure. [00:46]
- The Illusion of Safety: Relying on religious rituals, good works, or affiliations can create a false sense of security. These are like being on the deck of the submarine—close but not truly safe. Only in Christ do we find genuine protection and assurance. [01:06]
- The Covering of Christ: Jesus' death and resurrection provide the covering we need. When we trust Him as our Savior, we are placed "in Christ," ensuring our eternal safety. This is a gift of grace, not something earned by human effort. [01:28]
- The Call to Trust: Salvation requires a personal decision to trust Christ alone for our deliverance. This trust moves us from being near to being in, from being exposed to being covered by His blood. [01:48]
- Eternal Assurance: The only guarantee of eternal safety is found in the blood of Jesus Christ. This assurance is not based on our actions but on His finished work, inviting us to rest in His promise of eternal life. [02:31]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:20] - The Story of Seaman Joseph Snow
[00:46] - Proximity vs. Being in Christ
[01:06] - The Illusion of Safety
[01:28] - The Covering of Christ
[01:48] - The Call to Trust
[02:10] - Moving Beyond Religion
[02:31] - Eternal Assurance
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 8:1 - "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
2. Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
3. John 15:4 - "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the key event that led to Seaman Joseph Snow's tragic loss on the USS Torsk? How does this event serve as a metaphor for spiritual truths? [00:20]
2. According to the sermon, what does it mean to be "in Christ," and how is this different from merely being near God or involved in religious activities? [01:06]
3. How does the sermon describe the difference between being on the deck of the submarine and being inside it? What spiritual lesson does this illustrate? [01:28]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Romans 8:1 relate to the concept of being "in Christ" as discussed in the sermon? What does it mean to have no condemnation in this context?
2. In what ways does Ephesians 2:8-9 challenge the idea of relying on religious rituals or good works for salvation? How does this align with the sermon’s message about the illusion of safety? [02:10]
3. How does John 15:4's call to "remain in me" deepen our understanding of the necessity of a personal relationship with Christ, as opposed to mere proximity? [01:48]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be relying on religious rituals or good deeds for a sense of security? How can you shift your focus to a personal relationship with Christ? [02:10]
2. Consider the metaphor of being on the deck versus inside the submarine. In what ways might you be spiritually "on the deck," and how can you move to being "inside" and fully secure in Christ? [01:28]
3. How can you ensure that your faith is not just about being near God but truly being "in Christ"? What steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with Him? [01:06]
4. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel vulnerable or exposed. How can trusting in Christ's sacrifice provide you with the assurance and covering you need? [02:31]
5. Think about a time when you felt isolated in your faith journey. How can the community of believers help you stay "in Christ" and not just near Him? [01:48]
6. What practical actions can you take to remind yourself daily of the grace and covering provided by Jesus' sacrifice? How can this change your approach to challenges you face? [01:28]
7. How can you encourage someone else in your life to move from being near to being "in Christ"? What conversations or actions might help them understand this important distinction? [01:48]
Devotional
Day 1: Proximity is Not Security
In the story of Seaman Joseph Snow, we learn that being near safety is not the same as being secure. Snow was on the deck of the USS Torsk when it submerged, tragically losing his life despite being so close to safety. This serves as a metaphor for our spiritual lives. Being near God through religious activities or community does not equate to being in a saving relationship with Him. True security comes from being "in Christ," where we are covered by His sacrifice and assured of eternal safety. This relationship is not about proximity but about being enveloped in His grace and love. [00:46]
Ephesians 2:13-14 (ESV): "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on proximity to God rather than a true relationship with Him? How can you move from being near to being in Christ today?
Day 2: The Illusion of Safety
Many people rely on religious rituals, good deeds, or affiliations to feel secure in their faith. However, these can create a false sense of safety, much like being on the deck of a submarine. True safety is found only in Christ, where we are genuinely protected and assured. This calls for a shift from external practices to an internal transformation that comes from trusting in Jesus' sacrifice. It is a reminder that our actions, while important, are not the foundation of our salvation. [01:06]
Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV): "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'"
Reflection: Are there rituals or good deeds you rely on for a sense of security? How can you shift your focus to a deeper trust in Christ's protection?
Day 3: Covered by Christ
The death and resurrection of Jesus provide the covering we need for eternal safety. When we trust Him as our Savior, we are placed "in Christ," ensuring our eternal security. This covering is a gift of grace, not something we can earn through human effort. It is a profound reminder that our salvation is not based on our works but on His finished work on the cross. This truth invites us to rest in His promise and embrace the assurance that comes from being covered by His blood. [01:28]
Colossians 3:3-4 (ESV): "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."
Reflection: How does understanding that you are "hidden with Christ" change your perspective on your daily life and struggles? What steps can you take to live more fully in this truth?
Day 4: The Call to Trust
Salvation requires a personal decision to trust Christ alone for our deliverance. This trust moves us from being near to being in, from being exposed to being covered by His blood. It is a call to move beyond mere religious affiliation and into a personal relationship with Jesus. This decision is not just a one-time event but a daily choice to rely on His grace and guidance. It challenges us to examine where we place our trust and invites us to deepen our reliance on Him. [01:48]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God fully? How can you begin to surrender this area to Him today?
Day 5: Assurance of Eternal Safety
The only guarantee of eternal safety is found in the blood of Jesus Christ. This assurance is not based on our actions but on His finished work, inviting us to rest in His promise of eternal life. It is a profound comfort to know that our security is not dependent on our performance but on His grace. This assurance encourages us to live with confidence and hope, knowing that our future is secure in Him. [02:31]
Hebrews 10:22-23 (ESV): "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."
Reflection: How does the assurance of eternal safety in Christ impact your daily life and decisions? What can you do to remind yourself of this truth regularly?
Quotes
I'm standing on the USS torque here in Baltimore Harbor throughout the history of this submarine it only lost one crew member seaman 'joseph snow the events leading to his loss are very instructive chaos had broken out on the ship and seaman snow was on deck but because of the chaos it was not known that he was still on top when the submarine began to go under and as a result his life was lost he was on the top of it but he wasn't inside of it and as a result it cost him his life the message of this story is simply this [00:00:08]
you can be in the vicinity of God and not be where you need to be to experience his deliberate you can be in church you can be wearing the right uniform you can be in the vicinity of other people who are safe but if you are not in Christ yourself covered by the blood of Christ like the other seamen were covered when the submarine went down then you're left on your own and the only thing left for you is disaster [00:00:59]
Jesus Christ died so you could be covered by his blood the Bible calls that day in Christ when you believe on Christ to be your personal Savior when you trust him alone as your substitute for your sin and look to him alone for the gift of eternal life he places you in what the Bible calls me where you are covered in time and [00:01:42]
so don't look to your religion your good works your human efforts your religious associations and affiliations to deliver you you'll be left isolated and alone come into the one place that guarantees you eternal safety that place is the blood of Jesus Christ [00:02:10]
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