In Christ

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (II Corinthians 5:17). In chapter six of Romans, Paul speaks of our total immersion into the life of Christ. We are "baptized" into the life of Christ. In chapter seven, Paul used the covenant of marriage to illustrate a Christian's unity with Christ. However, in this unity, there is still the battle with the old nature. In his exasperation, Paul cries out, "O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from this body of sin? I thank my God—through Jesus Christ my Lord" (7:23,24)! The "therefore" in Romans 8:1 brings us to the great transition. The "law of God"(7:22) is the "law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" (8:2). The Christian is "in Christ" (8:1-8). He dwells with Christ (8:9-28). He will never be separate from Christ (8:29-39). Romans 8 reveals the Holy Spirit whom Jesus promised He would send to the believer (John 14:25). There are eighteen references to work of the Holy Spirit in this chapter.