In or Out

“’Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”  Romans 8:1-2

It is the best news ever. For seven chapters the Apostle Paul has been building his case for this statement…explaining and establishing this truth: There is no condemnation for believers in Jesus Christ. How is this possible? It is true because on the cross Jesus condemned our sin so that our sin cannot condemn us. The debt was paid and the power of sin and death was broken when Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross and then arose triumphantly.

As wonderful as this news is, there is something I must lovingly point out. Not everyone can say, “There is now no condemnation over my life.” Romans 8:1 clearly states that this truth applies to, “those who are in Christ Jesus.” The Bible makes it clear that not everyone is “in Christ.” Paul himself even wrote in Romans 9:3 that there are people who are separated from Christ. All of us fall into one of these two categories: In Christ or separated from Christ.

If you want to say, “there is no condemnation for me,” then you must be in Christ.  When you are in Him, you have identified with Him through faith, so that what happened to Him has happened to you. He died for your sins, and you join in that death by dying to your selfish desires and sinful ways. He rose back to life, and you join in that resurrection by choosing to live a new life by the Spirit and not by your old, fleshly desires.

At this point, many people might be questioning, “Doesn’t God love everyone? Didn’t Jesus die for everyone?” Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. What that means is that there is room in Christ for everyone. Everyone is invited to drink of the living water and never thirst again. All are invited to enter His rest. Everyone is invited. But not everyone comes.

John 3:36 says, “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” When you believe in God’s Son, the wrath of God (condemnation) is taken away. But when you do not believe, it remains.

So where are you? In Christ or outside Christ? Free from condemnation or still under God’s wrath? There is room in Christ. And His invitation to every sinner is, “Come! Trust Me! Enter!”

Dear Father, I want nothing more than to be in Christ, not outside of Him. I want to live according to Your will, Your purpose, Your plan, and Your Word. Draw me back to you when I'm tempted to wander away and figure things out on my own. In Jesus' name, amen.