ARE YOU HANGING ON FOR DEAR LIFE?

Romans 8:1b

for those who are in Christ Jesus...

In Genesis 6:14, God said to Noah: "So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out." (Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. KJV..LJG) I think it's interesting that the word translated "pitch" is the same word that is translated "atonement" in Leviticus 17:11 (as well as in other passages in the Old Testament). It is a perfect picture of what Christ's sacrifice has done for us: The atonement of Jesus is what keeps out the waters of judgment and condemnation -- it not only insulates, but is also part of the construction of our position "in Christ" as safe and blessed.

When the rain began to fall, God didn't throw Noah and his family a rope and tell them to hang on for dear life. Rather, the Lord said, "I'm going to place you and your family inside." The same is true for us. It's no longer up to us to hold on -- in other words to try and keep from sinning as long as we can. Our Ark is Jesus. We are in Him.

In our previous passage Paul told us: "Therefore there is no condemnation." Why? Because we are in Him. When the rains, floods, winds, storms and forty foot seas of life happen all around us, we don't need to worry. We are safe, dry, warm, and secure -- in Jesus.

Are you in Jesus? Have you accepted His gift of atonement? Why not? Are you still trying to do life your way? The Lord waits for you. Will you receive the greatest gift of all?

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