Someone said that there are three keys to becoming successful in business: 1) location, 2) location, and 3) location.  Where you are is vitally important.  It is even more vital in the spiritual realm.  In fact, it’s critical.  Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me” (John 14:6).

So how do I get into Christ?  When Jesus suffered, shed his blood, and died on the cross, he paid the sin debt for all the world.  The Bible says, “But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Eph. 2:13).  You don’t get into Christ by moral transformation.  That actually comes later.  No, you get into Christ through his blood, which was not shed for a select few but for all.  John writes, “He is the propitiation [the appeasing sacrifice] for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2).  Regardless of what you’ve done or how long you’ve done it, Christ died for you.  But even though the price has been paid for all, all the world is not saved (Matt. 7:13-14).  The Bible teaches that to be saved, to get into Christ where salvation is, we must believe, repent, and be baptized (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38, 8:35-38).  Paul says it like this, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Gal. 3:26-27).  Faith is not in baptism.  Faith is in Christ when we are baptized.  Baptism in the Bible is immersion.  Paul describes it as being “buried with him through baptism” (Rom. 6:4).  Baptism does not achieve anything of merit for us.  It is a matter of trusting God to do what he said he would when we do what he tells us to.  As Paul wrote, “having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead” (Col. 2:12).

How do I stay in Christ?  I stay in Christ by clinging closely to him by obeying him and trusting him.  Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).  And John wrote, “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).  Staying in Jesus is a matter of following Jesus.  If you’ve taken your eyes off him, refocus and follow him again.

As 2013 begins, are you where you need to be?  Just trying to be good won’t do it.  Finding your “own way” to heaven won’t get you there.  Great blessings are waiting for you.  But you’ve got to be in Christ.