Who I Am - Part 4 [Notes]

One of the most significant phrases found in the Bible is “in Christ.” This phrase appears in various forms over 150 times in the New Testament. For the Christian, because we are “in Christ,” we share many of the blessings and attributes of Christ himself.

Join us as we begin a new series titled, "Who Am I?" Together we will explore from the book of Romans what the Apostle Paul said was true about us because of our connection with Christ.

Today's Takeaway // In Christ, we are secure.

In Christ, we are forgiven.

In Christ, we are victorious.

In Christ, we have been set free.

In Christ, we are secure.

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified. What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He did not even spare His own Son but offered Him up for us all; how will He not also with Him grant us everything? Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the One who justifies. Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!¹
– Romans 8:28-39 (HCSB)
_{¹ The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (Ro 8:28–39). (2009). Holman Bible Publishers.}

In Christ, we are secure.

The one who has the Son has life. The one who doesn’t have the Son of God does not have life. I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
– 1 John 5:12-13 (HCSB)

We know that all things work together for the good ^h of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.
– Romans 8:28 (HCSB)
_{^h 8:28 The ultimate good}

For those He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified.
– Romans 8:29-30 (HCSB)

Between the start and finish of God’s plan are three steps: being called, being justified, and being glorified, and in the process nota single person is lost. God completes His plan without slippage.²
– Dr. Witmer
_{2 Witmer, J. A. (1985). Romans. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 474). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.}

For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.
– Ephesians 1:4 (HCSB)

“Called” means more than being invited to receive Christ; it means to be summoned to and given salvation.³
– Dr. Witmer
_{³ Witmer, J. A. (1985). Romans. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 474). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.}

What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
– Romans 8:31 (HCSB)

Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the One who justifies. Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.
– Romans 8:33-34 (HCSB)

In essence, the double jeopardy clause holds that once an accused person has been acquitted, convicted, or punished for a particular crime, they cannot be prosecuted or punished again for the same crime in the same jurisdiction.
– Thoughtco.com

Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect?

God is the One who justifies.

Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.
– Romans 8:33-34 (HCSB)

Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!
– Romans 8:35-39 (HCSB)

1. Why do you think Christians struggle to believe they are really forgiven for the sins they commit?
2. Why do you think it is important we trust God’s promises are true concerning our eternal destiny (e.g. John 3:16; John 10:27-29 and Ephesians 2:8-9)?
3. Read Romans 8:28-39. What are some of Paul’s arguments in favor of the fact that Christians will never lose their salvation? How would you help someone understand the security we have in Christ? Do any other Bible verses come to mind?
4. What are some things people think can cause us to lose our salvation (our relationship with God? How would you respond based on Romans 8:38-39?
5. How might you apply today’s lesson to your life?

You Keep Hope Alive // Firm Foundation (He Won't) // Back to Life // Refuge

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