The evidence of being in Christ and being eternally secure is that you are swimming and not floating.

What does it take to live a Christ-centered life? In this episode of Light and Truth, John Piper turns to 1 Corinthians 3 verses 1 to 4

to warn against spiritual complacency and emphasize that true life in Christ is marked by growth

in grace.

This sermon was originally delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on February 21, 1988.

I could not address you as spiritual, but as fleshly as babes in Christ.

Now, what does that little phrase mean?

That's a rich and wonderful phrase.

That phrase is so full of encouragement for babies in Christ and fleshly people as well as mature people.

What does in Christ mean?

The best explanation in the vicinity of this verse, I think,

is chapter 1, verse 30, if you want to look at it with me. In chapter 1, verse 30, Paul says that

God is the one who has put us in Christ. From him you you are in Christ, or the RSV says, he is the

source of your life. That means he's the one who put you there. He's the one who wrapped you up in

Christ, unified you to Christ, joined you to Christ, so that now you're in Christ. Now, what does it

mean? That's what the last part of the verse is good for. This Christ,

God made our wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption, which simply means

Christ is for you all that you need to be when you are in him.

And that's good news.

That's one of the greatest doctrines of the faith.

It's called justification sometimes or union with Christ.

To be wrapped up so in Christ by being united to him by faith,

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