_“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”(Romans 8: 1)_
To be in Christ is to be one with Him by faith. Romans 8: 1 says that those who are with Him are the ones to whom there is no condemnation. All those who are not in Christ are under the law and its curse. Luther said, “It is impossible for a man to be a Christian without having Christ and if he has Christ, he has at the same time all that is in Christ. What gives peace to conscience is that by faith our sins are no more ours but Christ’s, upon whom God has laid them all, and that, on the other hand, all Christ’s righteousness is ours to whom God has given it.”
Dear friends, it is not by human nature that we enjoy this union, since by nature we are children of wrath and without Christ. The means by which we are united to Christ are on His part by His Spirit and on our part by faith. He communicates through His Holy Spirit to us. The Bible says, “He who is joined to the Lord is one in Spirit.” On our part we receive Jesus Christ by faith produced in us by His Spirit. He dwells in our hearts by faith. Luther said, “Faith unites the soul with Christ as a spouse with her husband. Everything which Christ has, becomes the property of the believing soul; everything which the soul has becomes the property of Christ. Christ possesses all blessings and eternal life, they are now the property of the soul. The soul has all its iniquities and sins, they become now the property of Christ. It is then that a blessed exchange commences. Christ who has never sinned, whose holiness is perfect, taking to Himself by faith, all the sins of a believer, those sins are lost and abolished in Him, for no sin dwells before His righteousness. Thus by faith, the believer’s soul is delivered from sin and clothed with the eternal righteousness of her Bridegroom. What a happy union.! The rich, noble, holy Bridegroom takes in marriage poor, guilty and despised spouse, delivers from evil and enriches her with most precious blessings. Halleluiah!
*PRAYER* : Lord Jesus, You are the Savior, the King and the High Priest. You have delivered me from condemnation and I am justified by faith. You have given me kingship and priesthood. You have given Your honor and glory to me. What a great privilege! Thank You Lord. Amen.
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