In Christ

Daily Reading: Romans 8

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8.1)

Devotional Thought: In comparison to the despair of Romans 7, things get better in Romans 8!  Romans 7.25 is a bridge between chapters 7 and 8: Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!  Why was Paul so thankful?  He was in Christ Jesus.

What does it mean to be “in Christ?”  Throughout Romans, Paul explains that to be in Christ is to be...

·    Forgiven.  3.24: Justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 8.1: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

·    Free.  8.2: For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus.

·   Alive.  6.11: So, you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.  6.23: For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

·   Sure.  8.38-39: For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  9.1: I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit.

·   Included.  12.5: So, in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

·    Involved.  15.17: Therefore, I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.

·    Approved.  16.10: Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ.

Forgiven… Free… Alive… Sure… Included… Involved…  Approved…  And that’s just the beginning!  Rejoice!  You are in Christ!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you are in me, and I am in you.  With joy I draw water from the deep well of salvation!  Amen.  (Isaiah 12.3)

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 21.1-7

1 O Lord, in your strength the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults!

2 You have given him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah

3 For you meet him with rich blessings; you set a crown of fine gold upon his head.

4 He asked life of you; you gave it to him, length of days forever and ever.

5 His glory is great through your salvation; splendor and majesty you bestow on him.

6 For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence.

7 For the king trusts in the Lord, and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.