There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Rom 8:1)
Seated in Jesus Christ
The last part of Rom 8:1, which says: ‘who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit‘, gives so much clarity, of what it really means to be in Jesus Christ, and to be seated in Him. Although many theologians say, that the last part of the sentence is incorrect, and is not written in the original Greek manuscripts. But if we continue reading, then it says, that if you are in Jesus Christ, and are born again of the Spirit of God, then you will also walk after the Spirit.
That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit (Rom 8:4,5)
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die:but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God (Rom 8:13,14)
Many people often do not know, what it really means to be seated in Jesus Christ.
They talk about it, because they’ve read it in the Bible, or heard it in Church or during a conference or seminar. But they often do not know, what it really means to be seated in Jesus Christ in their daily lives.
What defines a Christian?
As a Christian, you are separated from the world, not because of doing good, and doing charity work, because the world also does a lot of good things, and charity work, but that’s not what makes you a son or daughter of the most high God.
The difference between the world and a Christian, is that a Christian is born again in the spirit. A Christian is a new creation, and has God’s Holy Spirit, living inside.
Because you have received His Holy Spirit and are born again in the spirit, you shall walk after the Spirit, and not after the flesh, like the world, anymore. Walking after the Spirit proves, that you are a new creation in Jesus Christ, and that you are seated in Him.
Born as sinner
We are all born in the flesh, as sinners, there’s no one excluded (except Jesus). Before you became born again, you were carnal, and a sinner, and walked after the flesh. You walked in sins and iniquities, which lead to eternal death. But when you became born-again, your spirit became alive, and you received a new life, in the Spirit. You became a new creation, and therefore you should also walk after the Spirit. When you walk after the Spirit, you will walk holy and righteous, which will lead to eternal life.
There’s no condemnation to them
which are seated in Jesus Christ
If you say, that you know Jesus, but stay carnal and keep living after the flesh, and keep living in sin, then you tell by your actions, that you don’t know Him. You may say, that you know Him, and that you love Him, but your actions tell, how you really feel about Him. When you keep living in sin, you show by your actions, that you don’t love Him enough, to stop sinning and remove the sin out of your life.
If you don’t listen to Him, and keep His commandments, then you are not seated in Him. When you are not seated in Him, then you shall be condemned.
Only when you listen to Him, and keep His commandments, you will walk after the Spirit. When you walk after the Spirit, then you shall not be condemned.
It is written that there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Rom 8:1)
Walking after the flesh
When you walk after the flesh, you live under the power of the devil and his whole army. They only want one thing, or actually two:
- to stay living in rebellion toward God and His words
- destroy you.
As long as you keep walking after the flesh, they shall rule over you. They shall rule over you, and shall have power over your life.
There is only one way to escape from their rulership, and that is through Jesus Christ. When you believe in Him, repent of your sinful life and be washed clean with the blood of Jesus, lay down your flesh (water baptism), and be raised in the Spirit (baptism in the Holy Spirit) and become a new creation.
A born-again Christian is seated in Jesus Christ
When you become born-again, you shall no longer be subjected to the devil and his army. They will try to let you believe, that you are still subjected to them, but the truth is that you are seated in Jesus Christ.
That’s your new position, as a born again believer; a son of God. They will always have the ability, but you have the power, to stop them from ruling over you. As long as you stay in Christ, you will have the power, to rule over them.
Shall the devil and his army, never try to attack you? And shall they leave you alone? No, they shall always keep attacking you, and try to get you back into their ‘camp’.
But the difference is, that before you became born-again, you didn’t have any authority at all. You couldn’t tell them what to do. But now, that you are seated in Jesus Christ, you have the authority.
Understand your position in Jesus Christ
It is therefore important to understand your position in Jesus Christ. And what authority has been given to you in Him. You are seated in Jesus Christ in the Heavenly Places, and you will reign together with Him. As long as you stay in Jesus Christ, and walk after the Spirit, you have all authority over the devil and his whole army. You shall have all authority, and nothing shall harm you.
Yes, you shall be untouchable in Him, unless…. You return to the flesh. Then you will become subjected to the devil and his army again. And these evil powers will reign over you again, and cause a lot of harm in your life.
The Gadarene man, who was possessed
When we look at the story of the Gadarene man, who was possessed by devils and abode in tombs, we see the mission of devils.
And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion:because many devils were entered into him. And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them. Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine:and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked (Luk 8:30-33)
Those devils begged Jesus not to command them, to go out into the deep (bottomless pit, hell, abyss). Because then they would have to go back to their master, while their assignment was not fulfilled. Therefore they begged Jesus, to let them enter the herd of swine, so that they could accomplish their mission. Jesus didn’t forbid them, but He allowed them to enter the herd of swine.
When the devils entered the herd of swine, we see the true assignment of these devils, namely destruction.
When they entered the swines, they ran violently down a steep place into the lake and were choked.
The final destination of those swines, should have been the final destination of the Gadarene man. But Jesus prevented it from happening, by setting this man free. He set him free, so that he could live in freedom.
Reign with Him
As long as you keep His commandments, and walk after the Spirit, then you are seated in Jesus Christ. You shall reign with Him, and you shall do the same works as He did.
But if you stay the old man, and keep walking after the flesh, then your life will be like the Gadarene man, who was ruled, and even tortured, by devils. Maybe you will have less devils, than this man had. But when you keep walking after the flesh, they shall possess your life and cause destruction, and your final destination shall be eternal death. Because that is their assignment; to destroy, and kill and fill hell, with as many people as possible.
‘Be the salt of the earth’
