Rom. viii. 1. There is therefore now no condemnation to them ivhich are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
TO establish that fundamental doctrine of our religion, the doctrine of justification by faith alone, is
the main scope of this epistle. Having argued the point, and shewn that the objection of its encourag- ing men to sin, is without any real foundation, the Apostle sums up the whole in the words before us ; and declares, as the just inference from his preceding arguments, that the believer in Christ, who acts agree- ably to his profession, has nothing to fear from the condemnation of the law.
From this inspired declaration we learn the state, the character, and the privilege of every true Chris- tian—
I. His state —
He is " in Christ Jesus." This is altogether a term peculiar to the New Testament : but it expresses admirably the condition into which the Christian is brought, as soon as he believes in Christ.
He is interested in Christ as his all-sufficient Sa- viour—
[He has fled to Christ for refuge from the curses of the
broken law and has obtained peace with God by faith
in his atoning sacrifice Though in himself he deserves
nothing but condemnation, he is " accepted in the beloved," and " made an heir of God through Christ."]
He is united to Christ as his living Head — [Christ is "made Head over all things to the Church." " He is the vine, of which believers are the branches." Every one knows how it is that the branch is nourished and enabled to bear fruit, namely, by its union with the stock, and by sap derived from the root. Thus it is that the believer " receives continually out of the fulness that is in Christ," being, in fact, not only " one body," but also " one spirit, with him"
In a word, the person that is in Christ is one who can say, " In the Lord have I righteousness and strength."!
In strict accordance with this is,
II. His character —
" A tree is known by its fruit," as the Christian is by his.
" He walks not after the flesh."
[Notwithstanding he is in Christ, he still carries about with him a corrupt nature, " a body of sin and death." He has yet " the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and incapacitating him to