I Am in Christ

Identity Crisis
I Am In Christ
Romans 5:12-19

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You are part of the “in crowd” the only question is “In Who”?

“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22)

All of us are Represented before God by one of these two men. We have a representative union with one or the other.

Our Union with Adam

“Indeed, I was guilty when I was born; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.” (Psalm 51:5, HCSB)

The nature we have received is a Sinful Nature

Original sin is not primarily about the first or original sin committed by Adam and Eve, but about the Result of that first sin – the corruption of the human race.

There is no part of us that is not Impacted by sin. Our minds, will and bodies are affected by sin.

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” (Ephesians 2:1–3)

In Adam I Am:

• Spiritually Dead
• Enslaved
• A child or object of God’s Righteous Wrath

Our Union with Christ

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

As Our Representative Christ:

• Assumed the responsibility for our Obedience
• Assumed the responsibility for our Disobedience

“He lived the life we could not live, and died the death we deserved to die.”

“He was treated as we deserved to be treated in order that we might be treated as he deserved to be treated.”

“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

When writing about the representative work of Christ in Romans 5:18-19, Paul is referring to the universal Offer of salvation, not the universal Existence of salvation.

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)

By Physical Birth we are in Adam; it requires a Spiritual Birth to be in Christ.

“Jesus answered him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.'” (John 3:3)

Another Part of Our Union with Christ

If we are truly “in Christ” we not only have a representative union with Christ, but we have a Living Union

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,” (Ephesians 1:13)

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,” (Colossians 2:6)

Promises for Those in Christ

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 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.” (Romans 8:37–39)

Making It Personal:

• Am I truly “In Christ”? Have I personally responded to God’s offer of salvation in Christ and Christ alone through repentance and faith?
• Who do I know that needs to experience this supernatural union with Jesus Christ? How will I pray for them this year? How will I share the good news of the gospel with them this year?
• How can I walk this week in light of my union with Jesus Christ? How can I abide in Him and allow His life to display through me throughout this week?
• What promises about my union with Christ do I need to memorize and meditate on this week?