As we continue our study of Jesus Christ in Romans 8 look at verses 9-10: “The Spirit of God lives in you.  And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.  But if Christ is in you.”  Notice the interchange of titles “Spirit of God” and “Spirit of Christ,” without making a qualitative distinction between them.  This argues for the deity of Jesus Christ.  There is an equality between Him and God the Father.  Then notice the interchange between the Holy Spirit that is the “Spirit of God” and the “Spirit of Christ” dwelling in you and Christ dwelling in you.  

Paul interchanges the Holy Spirit dwelling in you and Christ dwelling in you.  Taken together, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are distinct persons but equal in essence.  This argues for the doctrine of the Trinity: one God, three persons.  They are all involved in our becoming what the One true and living God desires.

The confusion and frustration described in chapter 7 are gone.  Jesus Christ is the answer.  He makes it possible for God the Father and the Holy Spirit to be involved in the process.  Praise God for their triune participation in my life! 

If you’ve never known how the triune God is involved in your growth and victory as a Christian reflect on what we’ve studied and thank God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.