Christ Our Refuge
The Bible is very clear in its declaration that individuals who
are not “in Christ” are lost and under condemnation. If you are not “in
Christ Jesus” you have not escaped the condemnation and the wrath of God.
The apostle John wrote, “He who believes in Him [Jesus] is not
judged” (John 3:18a). Paul wrote “there is now no condemnation for those who are
in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). John goes on to say, “he who does not believe has
been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of
God” (v. 18b). The person who does not believe is already condemned and that
condemnation of unbelievers is now in the present time.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and
believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has
passed out of death into life” (John 5:24). “He who believes in the Son has
eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God
abides on him” (John 3:36).
The sole basis of this justification and declaration of “no
condemnation” is the assurance found in the words “in Christ Jesus.” We
were all condemned in Adam, but in the second Adam there is no condemnation.
Christians do sin and fail to bring glory to God, and we do suffer
the natural consequences of our sins. However, we do not suffer condemnation because
Christ was condemned in our stead.
The legalist tries desperately to please God by obeying the law in
his own strength, however it is impossible. On the other hand, the Christian who is under
the control of the Holy Spirit experiences the sanctifying work of the Spirit in his daily
life.
By an act of simple dependence upon Jesus Christ the believer
realizes his position in Christ. “By nature I am in myself, and in sin and I am,
therefore, condemned; but when the grace of God awakens me up to know my ruined state,
then I fly to Christ. I trust alone in His blood and righteousness, and He becomes to me
the cleft of the rock, whereas I hide myself from the storm of vengeance justly due to me
for my many offences. The Lord Jesus is typified by the city of refuge,” writes C. H.
Spurgeon.
Is your righteousness
one which you have worked out yourself, or is the righteousness of Christ imputed to you?
Do you look for salvation by self, or for salvation by Christ? “If you can truly say,
‘I hide in Christ,’ then this text warbles sweeter music than ever fell from
angel’s lips.” “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in
Christ Jesus.” Spurgeon added, “Inasmuch as you have believed in Him, you are in
Him.”
The promise holds true because the believer is “in Him who can
never be condemned. . . If you are in Christ, there is for that very reason no
condemnation to you.”
Christ fulfilled the law for you, and since you believed on Him you
are justified in Him. “By Christ’s righteous life and substitutionary death,
justification has come upon all who are in Him.”
“We are accepted in the beloved,” says the apostle Paul.
“By the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”
“Will the Lord condemn those whom He has made righteous?”
Will He condemn those for whom He has covered with His own perfect righteousness?”
God has placed the believer in a living vital union in Christ. We
have been made one with Christ through a living relationship.
Since we died in Christ and rose with Him, how then shall we be put
to death again for the sin for which we have already died in Him? We who are in Christ are
justified because Christ is justified by His rising from the dead, and by His taking the
position of honor and glory at the right hand of God. “He is our representative and
we are one with Him, and what He is that we are. Our union is inseparable, and therefore
our condemnation is impossible.”
Selah!
Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006
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