Three words. That’s what I’m chewing on this morning. Two of those words popping, I’m sure, because of a book I’ve been reading by Rankin Wilbourne on the doctrine of our Union with Christ — in which one of the early takeaways is that the realization of what it means to be “in Christ”, and for Christ to be in you, comes through activating the imagination. And that’s where the third word comes in, it’s the imagination word. Enriched.

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in Him in all speech and all knowledge . . .

(1Corinthians 1:4-5 ESV)

Enriched in Him. As the church of God (v.1) the Corinthians were enriched in Him. As individuals within that body of believers, they were enriched in Him.

It’s the third “in Christ” reference in these first five verses. Paul greets them as those “sanctified in Christ Jesus” (v.1). He thanks God for them because of the grace of God “that was given you in Christ Jesus” (v.4). The result? In every way they were enriched in Him.

Paul highlights a couple of the ways they were enriched. They were made rich in the gospel vocabulary that was now theirs. This a result of the supernatural insight they possessed as those given eyes to see and ears to hear the mystery of God’s redemptive plan. In addition, they were “not lacking” in any spiritual gift (v.6). But these were but three particular areas of inherited wealth in the context of being enriched in Him in every way.

It is the reality of those who are in Christ, that they are richly furnished in all things. Noodle on it. How could that not be the case? If the life we now live is being lived by “Christ who lives in me” (Gal. 2:20), then how can the life we now live not be enriched? No matter the circumstance or the season, it is still lived by Christ who lives in me. The mind of Christ. The heart of Christ. The power of Christ. The riches of Christ with which He has richly blessed us.

The word of Christ dwelling in us richly (Col. 3:16). The Spirit of Christ poured out on us richly (Titus 3:5-6). All commensurate with the immeasurable riches of His grace (Eph. 1:7). The Father ready, willing, and able to meet every need “according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Php. 4:19). The riches go on an on. Eternally sourced riches. Everlasting, unfading riches. Unimaginable, unfathomable riches. Ours as we are enriched in Him.

Meditate on it, even for a just a bit, and it’s one those things that is easier felt than tell’t. Something that stirs the soul with possibility yet ties the tongue when trying to explain it with precision. Something more easily imagined than articulated.

We possess heaven-sourced wealth in Christ. Ours is to live into those riches through Christ. To access the treasury already made ours. To withdraw from the vault all that comes with our union with Christ. A journey only realized as it is enabled by Him.

Father, lead me, by Your Spirit, into accessing the riches, in every way, which are already mine in Your Son.

By Your grace. For Your glory.