Is it Really True?

“As he is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4:17).

We all know that believers in this world bear a likeness to our Lord in his humiliation. As he was in this world, so are we in this world. As he was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, so are we. As he was the object of the world’s hatred, so are we. As he was tempted by Satan, so are we. As he was despised and forsaken of men, so are we. As he went through many sufferings and death to glory, so must we. It is a great blessing of grace and a wondrous condescension of mercy that we should have such a likeness to our Redeemer.

      But the Book of God does not say, “As he was.” It says, “As he is, so are we.” Is that an inspired exaggeration, or is it really true? It is really true! It cannot be otherwise. We are in him; and he is in us! We are joined to him, built upon him, and united to him, but more. We are one with him, as truly one with him as he is one with the Father (John 17:23). All the glory the Father has given to the Son as our Mediator, the Son has given to us (John 17:5, 22). And, now, in answer to our Savior’s prayer, God’s love is made perfect in us in the blessed experience of grace, assuring us that we shall “have boldness in the day of judgment.” And the cause, the ground, the basis of that assurance and boldness is this: — “As he is, so are we in this world!”

      As he is the Son of God, we are the sons of God. As he is loved by God with an everlasting and unchangeable love of complacency and delight, so are we. Yes, God loves us just as he loves his well beloved Son (John 17:23-24). As Christ is chosen of God and precious, so are we (Isa. 42:1; 1 Pet. 1:2.) Is he well-pleasing to God, one in whom the triune God delights? So are we (Isa. 42:1, Matt. 17:5; Psa. 37:23; 1 Pet. 2:5). Oh blessed grace! — As he who was made sin for us is justified and acquitted from sin, so are we. As our Lord Jesus is perfectly righteous, so are we! I pray that God the Holy Spirit will give you grace to grasp this sweet revelation of the gospel! — Christ is all our righteousness, and we are immaculately righteous in him.

With His spotless garments on

I am as holy as God’s Son!

Is he without sin? So are we! — “In him is no sin.” And, if I am in him, I am freed from, justified from, and cleansed from all sin in him (1 Pet. 4:1-2).

      Behold the Christ of God in all the fulness of his glory, and rejoice! — “Because as he is, so are we in this world.” Is he Heir of all things? So are we (Heb. 1:2; Rom. 8:17). Is the Lord Jesus dearly beloved of God? So are we (Rom. 1:7; 2 Cor. 12:19). O blessed wonder of grace! Yet, how could it be otherwise? Christ and his people are one (Eph. 1:23; Heb. 2:11). “We are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones” (Eph. 5:30). We are so really and truly one that he calls himself by our name and calls us by his (Isa. 41:8; 49:3; Jer. 23:6; 33:16). Yes, it is really true, more really true than we can yet imagine, — “As he is, so are we in this world!”

Don Fortner

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