Romans 8:1-4
In Romans 5:15 and following Paul refers to two men. He refers to the first Adam and to the second Adam, which is Christ. We also see two acts: obedience and disobedience. There are two results:
As all men are in Adam, all Christians are �in Christ.�
In Adam is to have a sinful nature which leads to death.
�In Christ is to have a new righteous nature which leads to life.
In Adam man broke God�s law; In Jesus man obeyed God.
Man was lost because he is involved in Adam�s transgression.
Man is saved who is involved in Christ�s righteousness - by faith in His life, death, and resurrection.
That is what it means to be �in Christ.�
Jesus was the last Adam. He had entered history. He faced the same choice as the first Adam and He obeyed. Where the first Adam disobeyed, He obeyed. Therefore, He was the perfect offering for man�s sin. He obeyed God in every choice. He was perfect in His obedience.
He who was innocent died for us who were guilty. 2 Corinthians 5:21: � For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.� He took upon Himself the sin of the whole human race. He poured out His life upon the cross of Calvary as a sacrifice for our sin. Now Christ dwells in all of us who received Him. All who reject Him remain in Adam.
So the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death. In other words, salvation belongs to those who are in Christ Jesus. Those who are in Christ are vitally united to Him by faith. We, who are in Christ, have His great salvation and are delivered from the condemnation and the bondage of sin.
The transference from the old life to the new life can take place only in Christ. All who belonged to Him by faith have passed through death and resurrection in Christ and are truly alive to God. Christians share the death and resurrection of Christ and pass in Him into the age to come. This observation is of fundamental importance. Paul did not say that Christians are free from condemnation because they are sinless. He said they are free from condemnation because they are �in Christ.�
Believers in Christ Jesus do sin. Our sins are noticed by God and He is displeased with them. Sometimes God chides us and He will correct us for our sins. When we sin God does not treat us as criminals. God deals with us as children.
There is no sentence of condemnation against those who are in Christ Jesus. Christians are exposed to suffering. But when a Christian is corrected by God that chastisement is paternal. When Christians are checked, the restraint is merciful and loving. When Christians are disciplined, the training is administered in loving kindness. When Christians are called upon to die, death to them is but the consummation of their eternal hope in Christ.
So, it may be said with reference to all who are in Christ that all things work for their good. There is no sentence of condemnation against those who are Christians.
So, all who are in Christ are not just reprieved, but pardoned. And that pardon is full and complete. Suppose you wish to save a criminal who is under a sentence of death. What must you do for him? First, you must get a pardon of his sentence. Next, you must restore him to his family and society. Then, you must find a way to change the heart and character of that man. Then, you must see that all his possessions are restored and that his future is assured. This is the salvation that God gives to us.
The one who receives Jesus Christ as his Saviour is pardoned. By the grace of God he is brought into a new position of righteous living. All that God has is his through Jesus. His past sins are no more. His present is provided for by His heavenly Father. His future is assured forever in Christ. He is a child of the King. �Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God.� (1John 3:1)
God has justified us in Christ, and he that is justified by God cannot be condemned. He who is in Christ has a right to all of Christ: His life, freedom, victory, etc.
In Romans 8:2 we come to the place where the Holy Spirit of God enters into this discussion. It is no accident that with His appearance on the scene there is no further talk of defeat. This eighth chapter of Romans is a spiritual palace. We,as Christians, often think ourselves as peasants, when we are really royalty. We dwell in our spiritual huts when God has built a palace for us.
This eighth chapter is the spiritual palace in which God would have us dwell. We should dwell in the eighth chapter where we are:
CHRISTIANS, WE MUST LIVE IN THIS EIGHTH CHAPTER!
Sermon By Dr. Harold L. White
E-mail Dr. White at [email protected]