BENEFITS OF “IN CHRIST” LIVING Series: Living the Best Life Possible Virus Crisis #6 Romans 8 The word “Spirit” is used 21 times in Romans 8 (NIV) compared to only four times in the first seven chapters. Chapter 8 opens and closes with the powerful prepositional phrase “in Christ” found over 70 times in Paul’s letters. The phrase goes back to Romans 6:3 were we are “We are baptized into Christ.” The phrase refers to our relationship to Jesus as a members of His family, the church. Notice how the chapter opens... Romans 8:1 – “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (NIV) Notice how the chapter closes... Romans 8:39 – “Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (NIV) SIX BENEFITS OF “IN CHRIST” LIVING BENEFIT #1 – WE LIVE WITHOUT ETERNAL CONDEMNATION Romans 7:24–8:4 – [24] “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? [25] Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. [8:1] Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, [2] and because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. [3] For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, [4] in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.” (NIV & New Living) -1- BENEFIT #2 – WE LIVE WITHOUT THE DOMINATION OF SIN Romans 8:5 – Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. (New Living) Two mindsets – [1] The worldly one controlled by the our sinful nature [2] The spiritual one controlled by the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:6 – Letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. (New Living) Romans 8:13 – For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. (NIV) BENEFIT #3 – WE LIVE WITHOUT DESPERATION Romans 8:18 – “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be shown us.” (NIV & New Century) Application: Present pain can’t be compared to future glory. BENEFIT #4 – WE LIVE WITHOUT MEANINGLESSNESS Romans 8:28 – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (NIV) Romans 8:29 – “For those God foreknew he also predestined [He worked it according to a plan, Bruce] to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” (NIV) God’s #1 purpose in your life is to make you like Jesus and He uses your problems to help you get there. BENEFIT #5 – WE LIVE WITHOUT INTIMIDATION -2- Romans 8:31-33 – [31] What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33]Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. (NIV) In Christ, you live in an uncondemnable state. Verses 31-33 is a restatement of 8:1: “There is now no condemnation to those who care in Christ Jesus.” BENEFIT #6 – WE LIVE WITHOUT SEPARATION Romans 8:38-39 – [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV) Two reminders: [1] Make sure you are “in Christ” (through baptism, Romans 6:3). [2] Ask God to put a specific person in your heart to become concerned about, get a burden for and at the right time, share your faith with them. Prayer: Father, I thank You for Romans 8 and for the victory I have in Jesus. I thank You for the ultimate lifestyle laid out for me. My prayer as I live in You and You live me, is that I can experience these six benefits we’ve talked about. In Jesus’ name. Amen. -3- .