One For All

If while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
–Romans 5:10

Every few years when the presidential election cycle rolls around, there is an email that seems to make the rounds in everybody’s inbox about how one vote can make a difference.

Historically, the first instance in which one vote made a difference was when a man named Adam voted for disobedience to God, and his disobedience resulted in every person who ever lived being condemned to death. The other instance is when a man named Jesus Christ voted for obedience to God, and His obedience resulted in eternal life for millions who trusted in Him.

In Romans, Paul said a right standing with God is available to everyone who trusts in Christ. He outlined four benefits of being in a right relationship with God: peace with God, hope in a future glory, consolation in present suffering, and assurance of our eternal life for salvation. In Romans 5, Paul shared a fifth benefit of a right relationship with God: union with a powerful Savior. “If while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (5:10). When you become a Christian, you are placed in Jesus Christ. And because you are placed in Christ Jesus, whatever happens to Jesus is going to happen to you.

Let me illustrate it this way. Let’s say you get into an airplane and strap yourself in that metal tube. Whatever happens to that airplane will happen to you because you are in the airplane. If the airplane goes to Detroit, then you are going to Detroit. If the airplane makes an emergency landing, then you will make an emergency landing. In the same way, when we are in Christ Jesus, whatever happens to Jesus will happen to us because we are in union with Him.

That fact guarantees us three things. First, being in Christ guarantees our justification. We never have to worry that God will become angry with us, because Christ already experienced that anger when He was on the cross. Romans 8:1 says, “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Second, being in Christ guarantees our sanctification. When we are in Christ, we are free from the power of sin because Christ is free from the power of sin. If you live in sin, then it means that you were never saved. Romans 6:2 says, “How shall we who died to sin still live in it?”

Third, being in Christ assures us of our glorification. Just as Christ is now in the presence of God the Father, one day we, too, will be in the presence of God forever, because we are in Christ. Romans 5 introduces this concept of our union with Jesus Christ.

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Today’s devotion is excerpted from “One for All” by Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2014.

Scripture quotations are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.