In Christ - Pt 1

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:1-8 ESV). Today we will begin a series that focuses on one of my favorite chapters in the Bible, the eighth chapter of Paul’s letter to Rome. I encourage you to read the entire chapter in one sitting soon. Though we will look at it microscopically, a panoramic view of the apostle’s central principles found here are amazing. One author, Herbert Douglass, says: Romans 8 is a very bright light; Romans 7 is a very bleak and black picture of those who try to live their lives, either without a knowledge of the “good” life or without the confidence that God, through the Holy Spirit, wants to help us live overcoming lives. The connection between the chapters is in the first verse of this week’s chapter: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Paul passes from the painful struggle to the peace and freedom that is offered to those “in Christ.” So, as it begins and as it ends Romans 8 leaves us in the same location: “in Christ.” “In Christ” is a spiritual reality for all who believe in Jesus as Lord and acknowledge him as Savior. When Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead he defeated the power of sin and death and created for us a new place to live. We are now in a place that has not been possible since creation; we are “in Christ.” Life in Christ begins with an act of God that is entirely a gift. Even though we often try to add something to grace, nothing we bring to him is sufficient to affect this change in us. Only Christ could do that. It does continue with our submission to the person and purposes of Christ in the world. To be in Christ is to pursue Christlikeness wherever we are: offering mercy to those who need mercy, speaking the truth to those living with lies, worshiping God in a world full of idols, giving ourselves for the sake of others rather than seeking self-satisfaction. To be in Christ is a grace offered and empowered life that glorifies God and blesses others. This is where we begin this series. My prayer is that these short studies will bless you greatly – in Christ!