4/28/10 Romans 8
In Christ Jesus
(Ro 8:1) 1Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8 instructs believers how to live a life of righteousness in face of the Law which we are unable to keep. No longer is our focus to be on trying to fulfill the Law, but we are to obey the Spirit of life. In Christ Jesus we are able to fully meet the Law’s requirements as stated in verse 4 “so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us.” For those who are “in Christ Jesus” are to live according to the Spirit, who raised Jesus from the dead, and by doing so put to death the sinful deeds of the body.
In the middle section of this chapter v17-25 Paul describes a time when all of creation will be redeemed, but until that happens the Spirit is given to intercede on behalf of those who are in Christ Jesus. The Spirit desires those He is interceding for to become conformed to the image of Jesus Christ so that on the day of final redemption those in Christ Jesus might be in His likeness.
We are victorious in this life not because of any effort of our own but because of our relationship with God. In this passage you will notice that the Trinity is powerfully present. The Son of God is whom we are to put our faith and hope. The Spirit is the one who gives life and power to conquer the sinful desires of the flesh. Finally the Father is the one who initiates the relationship and has provided a way to reconcile sinners with Himself and ultimately causes all things to work together for good in the life of those who are in Christ and dwelt by the Spirit.
So today for those who are truly “in Christ Jesus” there is much blessing and abundant thankfulness and praise should be directed to God. We are no longer condemned. This should be enough, but we are set free by the Spirit from the law of sin and death. We no longer have to try to fulfill the requirement of the law. We are to set our minds on the things of the Spirit and not on fulfilling the law. We are able to please God as we live according to the Spirit. We are considered to be sons of God and therefore heirs with Christ. We may suffer now, but there is glory that waits. We eagerly await the redemption of our bodies. We have help by the Spirit in our weaknesses and he also prays for us according to the will of God. We have confidence that whatever happens good or bad to us, God is working those things together for our good. We are foreknown by God, predestined to become like Jesus and God called us and justified us and has from eternity’s view glorified us. God delivered his Son over to death for us. His son Christ Jesus also intercedes for us. We are loved by Christ Jesus and nothing is able to separate us from that love. Wow! So in all these things we are victorious “in Christ Jesus.”
Prayer: Father, what amazing and incomprehensible truth. I am amazed at all the blessing that are mine in Christ Jesus. I have done nothing to receive these blessings and I am sure that my finite mind is totally incapable of realizing the full height, width, and breadth of your amazing love for me. I feel like the richest guy in the world as I consider all that I have and receive in Christ Jesus. I confess my sin of coveting anything else but You alone. I realize how utterly short I fall from that simple command to love you with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. I ask you to forgive me for having my love and affections set on things that are apart from you. Teach me to live according to the Spirit in all things. Teach me what it means to be fully controlled by the Spirit of life. I am so thankful for your love for me that called me and has justified me. I am so thankful and absolutely honored that you would consider me a son and the whole idea of being and heir paralyzes me. I feel so limited with my words to express my thankfulness and gratitude for who you are and what you have done for me. May the Son and the Spirit appropriately intercede on my behalf. Lord, you know my heart that I desire others to have these blessing that are found “in Christ Jesus.” I ask that I would be a faithful messenger to others that these blessings are for all those who place their faith in Christ Jesus. May I not be a stumbling block for any in coming to the obedience of faith in Christ Jesus, in His great and glorious name. Amen.