clcgh.org Building The Capacity Of Christian Leaders, Equipping The Saints For The Work Of Ministry, Redirecting Straying Christians To The Sound Knowledge Of Christ
PAUL, THE apostle, makes a very important statement in his letter to the church in Rome which every Christian must pay attention to.
He reveals that there is a place where Christians who are being saved must dwell in order to ESCAPE CONDEMNATION. It is the only safest place for Christians.
Many believers, today, have been deceived into thinking that they are safe just because they are members of mega churches. A Christian ought to be informed about this place, and also see if they are there.
Paul writes that, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which ARE IN CHRIST JESUS, who walk not after the flesh, but AFTER THE SPIRIT,” (Romans 8: 1, KJV).
There are many people who confess to being Christians. But people do not escape condemnation just by calling themselves Christians or by having their names written in the books of churches.
Paul makes it clear that for a Christian believer to avoid condemnation, firstly he must “be in Christ Jesus” and secondly he must “walk after the Holy Spirit.” Those who are in Christ Jesus and walk after the Holy Spirit are assured of eternal salvation.
Many Christians often quote this scriptural verse in their warfare prayers and in their motivational preaching or teachings. But they often fail to dig deep into the scripture to point out its meaning.
Paul does not say that there is no condemnation to them which have joined a popular church or speak in tongues. Rather, he talks about those who are in Christ Jesus and walk after the Spirit.
It is easier for a pastor to tell his church members that they stand no condemnation and that only the unbelieving world stands it. Yes, the Bible says people who have rejected God’s salvation plan through the Lord Jesus Christ are already condemned.
However, we church leaders must know that a person can be a church member, and yet be without Christ. In other words, such a believer is not united with Christ in one Spirit or he is not born again to be sealed with the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption.
Moreover, a person can be a known member of a church; he may be very active and even be serving in a department, give generously, fulfill all his financial obligations, attend funerals and weddings and participate in all church activities, yet he may not be in Christ.
Christ Jesus is a dwelling place for all His disciples. So, in Him we live, move and have our being. Now, to be in Christ is to be under the influence of Christ, it is to be under the control of Christ, it is to live by the law of Christ which is love, it is to imitate Christ and live a new life of Christ.
Those who are in Christ do not live the same old life they lived before they received salvation. In other words, they live the life that Christ lived or offers. This means, they follow Christ Jesus.
“Therefore, if ANYONE IS IN CHRIST, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come,” (2 Corinthians 5: 17, ESV).
If a person says he follows Jesus Christ, but he still practises sin, abides in his old way of life with no trace of repentance , then, he obviously is not in Christ.
The second thing is that we must walk after the Spirit. To walk after the Holy Spirit is to be led, controlled, influenced and guided by the Holy Spirit.
This is why the Bible says, “…as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8: 14).
By James Quansah
Thank you for reading. You may support this ministry financially by sending your donation to MTN MERCHANT ID: 951275 or MOBILE MONEY NUMBER: 05301659. God bless you.
James Quansah is the Executive Director of Christ-Conscious Leadership Centre (CLC) and lead Pastor of End-Time Christ’s Commissioners (ECC), Kumasi, Ghana. James is also a journalist by profession. He is married with four children.
