“…if Christ is in you…” Romans 8:10

After exposing the mind of sinful man leading to death (v.6), Paul reminded the Roman Christians that they no longer need to be controlled by their past sinful nature (v.9a). The guiding force for them, as well as for us today, is The Spirit of God living in each person who has come to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is The Spirit Who teaches, comforts, and guides. Those without the Spirit do not belong to Christ (v.9b).

When Christ resides in one’s heart, the body is reckoned as dead to sin, because The Believer died with Christ through baptism (vv.10a; 6:2-4). The Spirit within each Believer is alive because of righteousness having been born within her/his heart (v.10b). With righteousness welling-up in one’s heart comes the power for volitional living – actually being empowered to break the pattern of evil, allowing a new pattern of right living to emerge.

Paul articulated what I’ve been telling people for years – the same power that raised Jesus from the dead has been bestowed to every child of God for abundant, victorious living:

“And if The Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He Who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, Who lives in you.” (v.11)

It took me many years to understand and embrace this spiritual precept. This is the key to victorious living… it is the remedy for a life wrecked by sin. Many who have been held captive in a sin have played-out the scene so many times that they feel hopeless to break free from sin’s bondage. When one accepts fully the power of Christ to save and His resurrection power, one is able to be free from the demands of sin and the law, and actually decide – fully empowered – to live free from that sin.

The word “if” is used four times in these three verses (vv. 9 – 11). Paul challenged the reader(s) to have a self-inspection for reviewing one’s pattern of living. If the pattern was the same as before, then resurrection power had not been tapped for victorious living. Once salvation rescues the lost soul, one wants to know and experience that power to change the direction for her/his life. The pattern of living takes a completely opposite direction.

This is not to say we live out the rest of our days completely perfect – incapable of sinning. Otherwise, why would God have inspired John to write, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) The roadmap of one’s life is shown to have less sin (back-tracking) as one moves toward the prize of eternal life (1 Corinthians 9:24)… running toward it with the determination to win! IF CHRIST IS IN YOU… then run toward your eternal reward, your Heavenly prize!

Have a blessed and safe weekend…