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"And if Christ is in you..."

Text: Romans 8:10

THE GENUINE BELIEVER

How would you distinguish a true believer from one who professes he believes in God? The following text is illuminating.

“And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin,
but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”
Romans 8:10

1. “And if Christ is in you”

a) This sentence is written as a conditional sentence.

b) In this instance the word “if” is not written to express doubt or uncertainty.

c) It is to be understood as “if Christ is in you…” and He is.

2. “Christ is in you”

a) This is how we may know that a person is a true believer.

b) Christ is not simply the object of faith.

c) Christ is in the believer.

i) In his heart

ii) In his mind

3. The next two parts of the sentence is written in a classic Greek grammar construction

a) This is called a “men-de” construction.

b) The two parts are well juxtaposed.

c) “Men” – may be translated “on the one hand”.

d) “De”- may be translated “on the other hand”.

4. “The body is dead because of sin”

a) On the one hand sin’s devastating effect is to be noted.

b) Sin brings death to the individual (Ephesians 2:1).

5. “But the Spirit is life because of righteousness”

a) The Spirit of God represents the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

b) He indwells the believer.

c) He brings life to the true believer.

d) The righteousness that is spoken of here is the “imputed righteousness” given to us.

e) The Spirit of God confirms these things to be true and we come alive in Christ.