¹⁰ If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

Summary statement that it is, this verse is a bedrock of sanctification. Regardless of our daily experiences and struggles with sin, despite entangling sins (Heb 12:1), spiritually we are alive in Christ, because Christ is in us. Though that spiritual reality is sometimes hidden, “… all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” (Heb 4:13). While man judges the outward appearance, God judges the inward, looking at the heart (1 Sam 16:7). Certainly a Christian may look spiritually dead to others, and his testimony will be vain (John 13:35). His life may not give evidence to others that he is a disciple. However, God does not judge as we humans judge, who cannot see a person’s heart.

The problem with looking on the outward appearance for a definitive judgment on what is in a person’s heart is that the knife cuts both ways. There will be many who proclaim, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?” (Matt 7:22). But He whose Word “… is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb 4:12) will “… declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness’” (Matt 7:23).

God knows the heart, that “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matt 26:41b). Yes, as Christians we sometimes give in to the desires of the flesh. But the truth by which we are saved is the truth by which we live. It’s all about His grace that is greater than all of our sin. He has answered the question, “Who will set me free from the body of this death?” (Rom 7:24). Praise God, the answer was Jesus Christ our Lord (7:25). Praise God, the answer continues to be Jesus Christ our Lord! This is our only hope.

Some might complain that such thinking is a religious façade designed to justify living any way we want. However, it is the only framework of thinking that honestly reflects the reality of Christian life and conversion. If we are not saved and justified on the basis of our deeds, then how could our deeds be required to keep us saved and justified? To require so would negate our justification. Does this mean we don’t need to make any effort, then, to live righteous lives? Not at all. Rather it means that we need to get the basic truth set in our minds or else we build our sanctification on a faulty foundation!

Lord, help me build my life of faith on Your justification, not my righteousness!