There are a lot of good things that you can acknowledge when you’re born again in Christ Jesus — like who you are and what you have in Him. Philemon 6 tells us, “That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” Paul is talking about every good thing that’s yours now that you’re identified with Christ. The Amplified Bible reads, “[And I pray] that the participation in and sharing of your faith may produce and promote full recognition and appreciation and under-standing and precise knowledge of every good [thing] that is ours in [our identification with] Christ Jesus [and unto His glory].”
How often do you spend time thinking about all your bad qualities and what you think is wrong with you? If you look at the bad long enough, it will only get worse. Paul is saying that for your faith to become effective (effectual) you need to acknowledge every good thing that’s yours in Christ. Your faith won’t work unless you acknowledge some things by confessing, speaking, or acting on God’s Word.
“Every good thing” means there is more than one good thing in you because you’re in Christ. If you don’t know every good thing in Christ that’s in you and is yours, you can’t acknowledge it! Once you recognize the good things that are in you in Christ, your faith still won’t work until you acknowledge them. You need to have a daily acknowledgement, or confession time, of who you are and what you have in Christ! If you want your faith to work, you must make a practice to continue acknowledging every good thing that’s yours because you’re in Christ!
As you begin to confess who you are and what you have in Christ, your faith will grow stronger. It will change your prayer life as well as your prayer attitude. Look for terms “in Christ,” “in Him,” or “in Whom” as they refer to who you are in union with Christ. These are things that are yours simply because you are in union with Jesus — acknowledge them and become effective!
