In Christ

BORN AGAIN!

Terry R. Baughman
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1 NKJ).
Being in Christ indicates that a personal spiritual transformation has taken place. By faith, we have committed ourselves to Jesus, turned to God in repentance, identified with Christ in baptism, and received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Our spiritual growth and the development of new godly behaviors reveal the internal changes we have experienced. 
The most profound witness of Jesus in the world is the evidence of Christ within, shown through the transforming power of His Spirit. We are new creations of His spiritual work in our lives. The righteousness of Christ is reflected in us, equipping us to complete the mission that Jesus left for His followers to fulfill. 
Paul said, “Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God” (Romans 8:14 NIV). Through the New Birth we have become sons and daughters of God. In water baptism we have been personally identified with Jesus Christ and taken on His name. Paul also wrote, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:4 NIV). We have this promise, “He has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30 NLT). 
Only in Christ Jesus can we be saved. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 NIV). Through the born again experience we are adopted as children of God and have the full benefits and blessings of this spiritual inheritance. We belong to Christ. We are family. As Paul stated, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:16-17 NIV).
In Christ we are fully identified with Him, belonging to Him, and nothing can separate us from His love! (See Romans 8:37-39.)






Theme passage:
"… Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT)