-Pastor Robbie Cheuvront
Perhaps one of the most comforting scriptures in all of the Bible is Romans 8:1, There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
But what does “in Christ Jesus” really mean?
Pastor Erik’s message this past Sunday centered around this very topic (not necessarily Romans 8:1, but holistically what it means to know that you are indeed “in Christ Jesus”). If you were not able to join us, you can listen to the sermon here.
See, we live in a society of quick fixes and instant results. This approach to life is what we Americans have become accustomed to. So it might give us pause to know that being found “in Christ Jesus” is not something that we can just snap our fingers and make happen. What’s more, when it does happen, we cannot just continue to live our lives the way we have in the past. Rather, being found in Christ holds huge implications for how we are to live moving forward. This is known as the doctrine of “The Perseverance of the Saints.”
Jesus said, “He who perseveres to the end will be saved.” Does this mean that we are to somehow earn our salvation? By no means!
The Bible is very clear. Those who have professed their faith in Christ WILL be sustained, by the power of God, to persevere to the end. In other words, those who have truly given their lives to Christ, will not fall away from the faith. And some of the most comforting words that someone who has truly put their faith in Christ could ever hear, are the words of Romans 8:1.
See, just because you have looked to Christ for your salvation, it doesn’t mean that you won’t experience trials of all sorts that would seek to draw you away from the promises of God. The loss of a loved one, a relationship gone bad, or even something like not “fitting in” can cause the best of us to feel despondent, and perhaps question whether or not following Christ is the right path. But take comfort, friends. For God has assured us that it is not our strength and power that sustains our faith. Rather, He assures us that He is the one who has called us. And because He has called us, He will bring to completion the work He has started in us.
So take heart. For it very well might be those times when it seems the world is crashing down upon you, and you feel like you have nowhere to turn, and you question your faith; it might just be then that you realize Christ is all you have. And what’s more… He’s enough! And you will continue on in the faith. Not because you have the will to do so, but because it is then that you see the power of God at work in your life, carrying you through.
And it is then, that you KNOW, you are “in Christ Jesus”.
Grace and peace to you all,
-Robbie Cheuvront
