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The Atonement
by Michael Nelson Copyright 2004 by Michael Nelson It is the author's intent that this work be made freely available. This work may be downloaded, copied, printed, reproduced, and freely distributed (unlimited number of copies), in whole or in part and by any means, without alteration and without charge or further permission for personal and public use. Any views, statements, opinions or advertisements of any site or medium that may be presenting or hosting this work does not necessarily represent the views of the author. The author can be reached at: [email protected]. All scripture quotations are taken from the Authorized King James Version. Introduction The Atonement was written to aid the believer (and anyone else for that matter) in understanding how it is that we as Christians meet God's standard of perfection, not through the power of personal effort, but rather, through the power of the cross, and that by grace through faith. As you read, it will probably seem to you, in the first few pages, that this work is oriented to the Law as the means of meeting that standard. However, please read on, and you will find that this work is teaching and expounding upon the truth that it is only by grace through faith that we find perfection in the eyes of God. In this work we will examine questions such as: What is sin? What effect does sin have on man's relationship with God? Why did Christ Jesus have to shed his blood at Calvary for the sins of man? Exactly how did Christ's work on the cross remove the sins in our lives that separate us from God? Why did Jesus have to not only die for us but also rise from the grave for us? And why did His atoning sacrifice have to be perfect? Let's find the answers to these important questions so that you will "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:15). God. Who is He? He is: Savior (Is. 43:11; Hos. 13:4; 1Tim. 4:10); Creator (Gen. 1:27; 2:1,2; Ps. 33:6; Is .40:28); Life (Deut. 30:20; Ps. 16:11; John 14:6); Perfect and Without Sin (Deut. 32:4; Ps. 18:30; Ps. 18:30; Matt .5:48); All-Powerful (Gen. 18:14; Matt. 19:26; Rev. 19:6); All-Knowing (Is. 46:9,10; Ps. 147:5); Omniscient (Ps. 139:7,8; Jer. 23:23,24); Unchanging (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 6:17,18; 13:8); Sovereign King (Deut. 32:8,39; Is. 44:6; 45:7; Ez. 18:4) and Lawgiver (Is. 33:22; James 4:12). He is a God of Love (Deut. 4:37; Ps. 146:8; John 14:21), but He is also a God of Judgment (Is. 30:18; 61:8; Ps. 96:13; Dan. 7:9,10; Rev. 20:12). God is Absolute Authority And Power The various world governments have established their authority in their respective nations. They make laws, enforce those laws, and expect their citizens to live by and obey those laws. If an individual breaks the law, then he/she incurs the penalty for breaking the law as established by the authority. As supreme sovereign and absolute authority that is above all authority, God Almighty has issued His Law to mankind (Ex. 24:12; Num. 15:16; Deut. 33:2; Is. 51;4; Mic. 4:2; Rom. 10:18), and the breaking of God's law also incurs a penalty (Ps. 119:21; Ezek. 18:5-32; Rom. 1:18-32). All who are unrighteous are under the Law "that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world MAY BECOME GUILTY BEFORE GOD" (Rom. 3:19). The righteous, however, ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW BUT UNDER GRACE (Rom. 6:14). Just as the secular governments issue and establish laws to provide for the welfare, peace and prosperity of their respective nations and citizens, God also has given His commandments to mankind so that it might do well and prosper (Jer. 7:23). Even though the secular authorities have established their laws to provide security for their respective nations and citizens, their security is faulty and leaves much to be desired. Why? Because instead of living and abiding according to the truth, as revealed by God's Word and His Law (Ps. 119:151; John 17:17), they set about to establish their own truth AS SEEMS RIGHT IN THEIR OWN EYES. Mankind is fallible and imperfect; therefore, the laws that they establish--founded upon their own understanding of what is true--is also fallible and imperfect, and therefore the security and prosperity that they hope will result from their laws will always be imperfect and horribly lacking. Because God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and perfect, His commandments (Law) are also perfect (Ps. 19:7). Therefore, the security and prosperity that we have by living and abiding by His Law, in spirit and in truth, can be nothing but perfect. What God Expects From Mankind God expects absolute perfection. "Walk before me and be thou PERFECT" (Gen. 17:1) "Be ye therefore PERFECT, even as your Father which is heaven is PERFECT" (Matt. 5:48) "Thou shalt be PERFECT with the Lord thy God" (Deut. 18:13) "Let us therefore, as many as be PERFECT" (Phil. 3:15) "Be PERFECT and entire, wanting nothing" (James 1:4.) "As for God, His way is PERFECT" (2 Sam. 22:31; Ps. 18:30) "The law of the Lord is PERFECT" (Ps. 19:7) "Thou wast PERFECT in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee" (Ezek. 28:15) The word "perfect" in the above verses, from the Old Testament, are all translated from the SAME Hebrew word: taw-meen (Strong's no. 8549). The Bible itself makes it clear that this same Hebrew word in the above verses means the absence of iniquity/sin (Ezek. 28:15), flaws and fault. God's "way" and "Law" is perfect--absolutely flawless and faultless. The Hebrew word, taw-meen, is translated elsewhere in the Authorized Version as "without spot" and "without blemish"(Passover lamb, Ex. 12:5; freewill offering, Lev. 22:21; burnt offering, Lev. 1:3; peace offering, Lev. 3:1, Etc.) in describing the perfect condition that the Jewish animal sacrifices had to be in for God to find them acceptable. Jesus is coming back for a church "not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish" (Eph. 5:27). The word "perfect" in the previous verses, from the New Testament, are all translated from the same Greek word: tel-i-os (Strong's no. 5046). God defines what this Greek word means in these verses when He used it to say, "Be ye therefore perfect, EVEN AS YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN IS PERFECT" (Matt. 5:48). The Perfect Standard Any governing authority encourages its citizens to obey and fulfill all of its laws continuously and without fail. It would do that authority no good to decree that its subjects need only fulfill 80% of its laws. It automatically sets the requirement at 100% fulfillment, 100% of the time. If anyone doubts this, then simply call your local authority and ask if it would be all right if you ignored this or that law. So, it's obvious that any worldly authority expects those who are subject to its laws (commandments) to fulfill all of those laws continuously and without fail, EVEN THOUGH THAT SAME AUTHORITY ITSELF CANNOT MEET THAT REQUIREMENT OF PERFECTION. Try to find a politician who has never broken the speed limit. You will probably be looking a very long time indeed. God has also established His standard whereby mankind is judged, and as in the secular example, God's standard IS ABSOLUTE PERFECTION. This means that He expects all those who are subject to Him, which is all peoples of the earth, to fulfill all of his commandments continuously and without fail. However, unlike the worldly powers, God sees all of our thoughts and behaviors. This is important because His commandments concern our thoughts AND feelings in addition to our behaviors, and there is no hiding from His justice. In using the secular example, it seems obvious that if it were possible to find an individual under a temporal authority who was able to fulfill all of that authority's law INTIRELY, 100% of the time, then that same individual would not only be highly regarded by that governing authority, but also by his/her fellow citizens. He/she would be a prime, shining example to others (It's very unlikely that that individual could be found, however). If this temporal authority added to its body of law laws concerning thoughts and feelings, such as "love your enemies" or "hold no grudge against your brother" (these are commandments found in God's law), then there would be found no one capable of fulfilling and obeying all of that authority's body of commands CONTINUOUSLY AND WITHOUT FAIL. God, likewise, wants His people to be a shining example to the world (Matt. 5:16; 1 Pet. 2:12), and he also exults his chosen (1 Pet.5:6; James 1:9; Ezek. 21:26; Matt. 23:12; Dan. 12:3). He also has made a way for his people to fulfill all of his Commandments, CONTINUOUSLY AND WITHOUT FAIL. Also, unlike the temporal authority, which cannot fulfill its own requirement of perfection in fulfilling all of its laws continuously without fail, God HAS fulfilled his own requirement of perfection. How? By coming to earth, taking on the likeness of sinful flesh to be in the likeness of men (Rom. 8:3; Philippians 2:7 [yet He was without sin--see 1 Pet. 2:22; 2 Cor. 5:21]), and then fulfilling all of his own law continuously and without fail (Matt. 5:17). In other words, God has not commanded man to do that which he himself would not do (Heb. 2:18; 4:15). The Law of God Lets take a quick survey of some of the commands that compose the Law of God. Old Testament Commands "Thou shalt not steal" "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor" "Thou shalt neither vex [mistreat, supress] a stranger, nor oppress him" "Thou shalt not covet [desire]anything that is thy neighbor's" "Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child" "If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer [demand interest], neither shalt thou lay upon him usury" "Thou shalt not revile the Gods nor curse the ruler of thy people" "YE SHALL BE HOLY MEN TO ME" "Thou shalt not raise a false report" "Put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous [false] witness" "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil" "Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause [show partiality to the poor simply because he or she is poor]" "Neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment [testifying to please the crowd with the result of perverting justice]" "If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass [donkey] going astray [wondering off], thou shalt surely bring it back to him again" "If thou see the ass [donkey] of him that hateth thee lying under his [its] burden, and wouldest forbear [decide not] to help, [then] thou shalt surely help with him" "Thou shalt not wrest [pervert] the judgment of thy poor in his cause [dispute]" "Keep thee [yourself] far from a false matter" "The innocent and righteous slay thou not" "Thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous" "YE SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I THE LORD YOUR GOD AM HOLY" "Every man [and woman] shall fear his [her] mother and father" "Thou shalt not be a tale bearer [gossip] among thy people" "Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart" "Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him [If you see him/her sinning, then rebuke him/her]" "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, BUT THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF" "Thou shalthonor the face of the old man, and fear God" "THE STRANGER THAT DWELLETH WITH YOU THOU SHALT LOVE HIM AS YOURSELF" "Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgement, in meteyard [measurement of length], in weight, or in measure. Just balances, just weight, a just ephah [unit of measurement ], and a just hin [unit of measurement] ye shall have [don't cheat others]" Now let's look at some of the New Testament commands. New Testament Commands "BE YE THEREFORE PERFECT, EVEN AS YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN IS PERFECT" "Come to me all ye that labor and are heavy laden [burdened] and I will give you rest" "Resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also" "If any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have the cloak also" "Whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain [two]" "Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would barrow of thee turn not thou away" "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth But lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven" "Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on" "Take therefore no thought for tomorrow" "Judge not that ye be not judged" "Enter ye at the straight gate" So many commands! Why did I write down so many of God's commands? To demonstrate just how impossible it is for anyone to do and obey all of God's commandments continuously and without fail--through natural means and methods. Every day we find ourselves breaking the commands of God, and in fact, "man at his best state [at fulfilling God's commands continuously and without fail] is altogether vanity"(Ps. 39:5); so God, the supreme authority, will never justify a man or women who tries to please him THROUGH THEIR ABILITY to perfectly keep His Law (Ps. 130:3, 143:2; Gal. 2:16). Although it is impossible for the NATURAL man to perfectly fulfill God's Law, nothing is impossible with God (Matt. 19:26; Luke 1:37). So where the perfect fulfillment of God's Law is impossible through man's NATURAL ability, it is not impossible through God's SUPERNATURAL ability and power. God has said that through faith nothing shall be impossible to the children of God (Matt. 17:20). Therefore, the seemingly impossibility of perfectly fulfilling God's commandments is ONLY possible through faith. Faith in what? In God's ability, His power, His work. The Law of God is SPIRITUAL (Rom. 7:14), and therefore it can only be perfectly fulfilled SPIRITUALLY. When we try to fulfill God's commandments by our ability to abstain from sin (for sin is the transgression of God's commands--see 1 John 3:4), then we are trying to fulfill his Law naturally, which is impossible (Rom. 8:3), and anyone attempting to do so will be forever doomed to failure. So we can only fulfill the spiritual law by and through the spirit. Therefore, we must become SPIRITUAL (1 Cor. 2:4; Rom. 8:1-4). "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (John 3:6). That which is natural can only produce that which is natural, so a natural man/woman cannot MAKE themselves spiritual; they must be made spiritual by that which is spiritual. I was once born naturally. That which is natural gives birth to that which is natural; So, to become spiritual, I must be birthed by that which is spiritual; I must be reborn (John 3:1-8). By what spirit? Any spirit? No. We must be spiritually reborn of Him who came to earth and perfectly fulfilled all of God's Law--WE MUST BE BORN OF GOD (1 John 3:9; John 4:24; 2 Col. 3:17). IN THIS DO WE FIND OURSELVES PERFECTLY FULFILLING GOD'S LAW. Breaking God's Law The penalty for breaking any of God's commands is death, Why? Because God is Life (Ps. 36:9; John 14:6). Sin--the breaking of God's Law--separates us from God (Is. 59:2), and whoever is separated from God is therefore separated from life, and whoever is separated from life is necessarily DEAD. Someone might say, "but I'm a pretty good person, surely I don't deserve the death penalty." Why does this individual say this? Because they are speaking comparatively. In other words, they are comparing their "goodness" to the world's standard or concept of what is good. So compared to a serial killer, an individual might indeed appear to be a "good" person, but is that individual truly "good" enough to avoid the penalty of death? Christ said that "none is good, save [except] one, that is God" (Luke 18:19). So it's evident that no one, other than God, is good. We can't determine if we are good by comparing ourselves to a serial killer or to someone who is like Mother Teresa. Compared to a serial killer, an individual might seem good, BUT COMPARED TO A PERFECT CHRIST JESUS (who never committed any sin AT ALL) we are absolutely depraved. (Do you doubt this? Well, if you do, then simply imagine, if you would, recording all of your thoughts and actions for, say, the next seven days of your life. How would you then compare your thoughts and actions with those of Jesus for those seven days?) Someone who is like Mother Teresa would be just as deserving of death as any serial killer (Luke 13:1-5; Rom. 3:23). We have all deserved death, "for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23), but by the grace of God, through faith in Christ, we have escaped death. For God "hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities" (Ps. 102:19,20; 103:10-17). (As a side note, it must be realized that because Jesus was and is perfect, He was also "good." So when Jesus said, "none is good, save one, that is God," He was not teaching that He himself is not "good." He was letting that individual, to whom He was speaking, know that if that individual called Jesus "good," then that individual was acknowledging that Jesus was God in the flesh--because only God is "good"). Now some who are without Christ might insist on believing that they are only guilty of committing "small," "unimportant" sins. First, that cannot be true because any one who has not been born again is guilty of breaking the GREATEST commandment of God's Law, which is to "love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" (Matt. 22:37). Why? Because this commandment cannot be fulfilled unless we KNOW Jesus Christ, and we cannot KNOW Jesus Christ unless he REVEALS HIMSELF to us (Matt. 16:17). Secondly, to be saved from our sins, we must be born again (1 Pet. 1:3), and to be born again is to be absolutely joined to God (Is. 56:3,6; Jer. 13:11; 50:5; Zech. 2:11; 1 Cor. 6:15,17; Acts 11:23; Eph. 5:25-32). God has said that sin separates us from Him (Is. 59:2; Ezek. 14:7; Luke 13:27), but when that sin is removed, there is the opposite of separation--a JOINING. Sin cannot be joined to God; therefore, when sin is found present in our lives, EVEN IF THAT SIN SEEMS SMALL AND INSIGNIFICANT (Matt. 5:19; James 2:10; Luke 13:27), there can only be separation from God; it will keep us from being JOINED to Him. This separation is now and forever for those who die in their separation (sin); therefore, they will bear the penalty of death forever (Matt. 25:41,46). (As a side note, God is THE truth (John 14:6), and His Law is THE truth (119:142). Sin therefore separates us from THE truth. God, who IS truth, defies natural explanation. So those who are yet in their sins, who are trying to find the truth by NATURAL means and methods, are doomed to search--yet not find). Why Does God Expect Perfection? God expects perfection because He is perfect. A mediocre God would only expect mediocrity in all of His creation and would only provide a mediocre salvation, existence, and eternity. Do not we, the children of God, expect to inherit a perfect world and a perfect eternity? If the children expect perfection, then so is it much more with the Father. The secular power can't realistically expect its subjects to perfectly keep its laws because it lacks the omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience to make it possible for its subjects to perfectly keep its law. However, God, who is all-knowing, all-powerful, and omnipresent, not only expects perfection, but also has the power, means, and methods to make it so. The Death of Sin How do we meet God's perfect standard? God has made a way. How? By completely separating us from our sins. He has removed our sins, and the product of sin--death--far from us (Is. 1:18; 43:25; Ps. 103:12; Rom. 5:15). Jesus Christ came to earth to fight for us, to face that age old enemy called sin and death, and then humiliated and destroyed both of them for His people. As a mighty warrior Christ slew Satan, sin and death FOR US. And the Giant Falls Let's now look at a story in the bible where this work of Christ Jesus is perfectly illustrated. In the first book of Samuel, chapters 16 and 17, we find two armies facing each other with a valley separating them. On one side is the army of the Philistines with their champion, Goliath the giant (17:4), and on the other side is the army of God's chosen people, with apparently no champion (as of yet) to stand and fight for them. In this event, king David spiritually represents Christ Jesus. Goliath the Giant spiritually represents Satan, sin and death, death both in the spiritual and mortal sense. The Philistine army represents, I believe, the host of hell (fallen angels) and the power and works of men (the worldly element). Below, we will look at the prophetic biblical account laid out for us in the book of Samuel. We will also see the fulfillment of that event. Here now is the parallel between the actual event in the book of Samuel and the work that Christ has done for His people. Prophetic: King David is anointed King of God's people, and the "spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward" (16:13). Fulfillment: Jesus was anointed and the spirit of God descended upon Him (Luke 3:22; 4:18). He is "Lord of lords and King of kings" (Rev. 17:14). Prophetic: David was a shepherd (16:11). Fulfillment: Jesus is the good shepherd (John 10:11). Prophetic: The Philistine army faces the army of God with a valley between them (17:1-3). Fulfillment: The host of hell and the "world" is arranged against and apposing the church of God. Prophetic: Goliath the giant approaches with his weapons and defies the chosen of God. He taunts and intimidates the people of God with his seemingly unbeatable strength. The Israelites see this giant and become dismayed and greatly afraid. They flee from such an awesome foe (17:10,11,24). THEY NEED A CHAMPION TO FACE THIS ENEMY. Fulfillment: Satan approaches the people of God with the weapons of sin, death, fear, shame, and self-condemnation. Sin taunts and defies God's church. God's people see much weakness in themselves and become fearful. Shame and self-condemnation come in like a flood. Prophetic: There is a gulf (valley) between the Israelites and where God wants them to go. This gulf separates the Israelites from victory (17:3). Fulfillment: There is a gulf (valley) between man and God. This valley cannot be bridged unless the giant of sin and death is destroyed. Even after we come to Christ, many times it seems that the giant of sin will keep us from going where God wants us to go. Some "flee" and turn away, not fully understanding the work that Christ has done for His people on the cross--by grace through faith. Prophetic: For 40 days and nights Goliath presents himself " morning" and "evening" to tempt, mock, and defy God's chosen people (17:8-10,16,23). Fulfillment: For 40 days Satan tempted Jesus with sin in the wilderness (Luke 4:2). Prophetic: King David's father sent David to refresh his brothers with food (17:17). Fulfillment: Jesus is that spiritual bread (food) from heaven that His Father sent to fill His starving people (John 6:38-58). Prophetic: David is told that whoever defeats Goliath will: (1) earn freedom for his is father's house, (2) receive the King's daughter in marriage, and (3) be enriched with great riches (17:25). Fulfillment: In defeating the giant of Satan, sin and death, Jesus has: (1) earned freedom for His Father's house (for His church is His house (Heb. 3:4,6; 1 Pet.2:5), (2) taken to himself His bride (Rev. 21:9; John 3:29; Rom.7:4; Eph. 5:28-32), and (3) received riches (Rev. 5:12; Eph. 3:8). Prophetic: David's older brother becomes angry with David and accuses him of doing wrong (17:28). David's brother could not receive David as Israel's deliverer. Fulfillment: The brothers of Jesus did not believe in Him (John 7:5). He was falsely accused of doing wrong (Matt. 27:22; Mark 14:55-60; 15:4) and rejected as the messiah. Prophetic: David encourages his people not to fear the enemy (17:32). Fulfillment: Jesus encourages his people (Luke 10:19; John 12:21, 14:27; 16:33). Prophetic: Saul tries to discourage David from going against Goliath (17:33). Fulfillment: Satan tries to discourage Jesus from going to the cross ( Matt. 16:23). Prophetic: Saul tries to get David to wear his (Saul's) armor into battle, but David could not wear it because Saul's armor, which is the natural armor of the world, was contrary to that SPIRITUAL armor that David wore (17:39,39). Goliath disdained David's weapon (17:43) and it probably would have pleased him if David would have come against him with a sword or spear (natural weapons). Fulfillment: Jesus was armored spiritually from above, and His weapon was not carnal but spiritual. Satan tried to get Jesus to respond naturally instead of supernaturally (Luke 4:1-13). Likewise, our armor and weapons are not natural but spiritual in Christ (2 Cor. 10:4). Prophetic: David used his sling to bury a STONE in Goliath's forehead, killing the giant (17:49). Fulfillment: Jesus Christ is THE cornerSTONE ( 1 Pet. 2:6; Matt. 21:42) and the ROCK of Salvation (Matt. 7:25; 16:18; 1 Cor. 10:4). He's the "ROCK of OFFENSE" to the enemy (1 Pet. 2:8). Prophetic: David then stood upon the dead giant that wasn't so big anymore (and with-out power) and took the HEAD off with GOLIATH'S OWN SWORD (17:51). Fulfillment: Satan had a sword of death, but Christ took that sword, "that through death he [Jesus] might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil" (Heb. 2:14). Jesus slew the enemy WITH THE ENEMIE'S OWN WEAPON. "and out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword" (Rev. 1:16). "For the word of God is sharper than any two edged sword" (Heb. 4:12). "And take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17). Genesis 3:15 says, "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it [Christ] shall BRUISE thy HEAD, and thou shalt bruise his heel" This verse indicates Christ trampling the devil under foot just as David trampled Goliath. Rom. 16:20 says, "And the God of peace shall BRUISE Satan UNDER YOUR FEET shortly". Prophetic: The Israelites were encouraged and strengthened because their enemy was vanquished. They then pursued the enemy in victory and then "spoiled their tents" (17:51-53). Fulfillment: The New Testament Church has been empowered by the work of Christ to turn "the world upside down" (Acts 17:6), put the enemy to flight (Lev. 26:8), and to inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5). So with the event of David slaying Goliath, we absolutely see that Jesus, God in the flesh, has slain sin and death for His people. It is incredible that we see Christ throughout the Old Testament scriptures like we do (John 5:39; Luke 24:27). The Work of Christ Let's look at some of what God accomplished for His people. In giving up His riches (2 Cor.8:9), taking on the likeness of sinful flesh, and then dying and rising from the dead for us, God made it very clear just how much he loves us and also just how valuable we are to Him. Therefore, our true value is determined by God and not by the opinion or judgment of man. Satan uses sin to try to DEVALUE us in our own eyes, but Christ is the Lifter up of our heads (Ps. 3:3). Jesus lived in the "likeness of sinful flesh" (Rom. 8:3), yet He was without sin, thus humiliating sin and showing His people that sin is put down by His strength. Jesus set the standard for what is truly "good"; therefore, what and who is good is not determined by the opinion or judgment of man. Only Christ is good. A good leader leads by example. Christ led by perfect example. Christ "was in all points tempted like as we are [suffered the same troubles and temptations], yet without sin" (Heb. 2:18; 4:15; 2 Cor. 5:21). Therefore, there is nowhere that we can go that Christ has not already been. He is our "forerunner" (Heb. 6:20). Because he has overcome the world, we know that we also have overcome the world (John 16:33), and He expects nothing from us that he did not willingly do Himself. God went to extraordinary measures to save us from our sins, therefore, we know that He also goes to extraordinary measures to save us from this "world" and the Enemy. "We are more than conquerors" (Rom. 8:37). Jesus took the penalty of our sins--which is death--upon Himself. He then OVERCAME DEATH BY RISING FROM THE GRAVE, thus defeating death for His people. In taking both our sin and the consequence of sin--death--upon Himself, Jesus DESTROYED the POWER of sin in our lives by crucifying the "old man" (transgressor), that "the body of sin might be destroyed" (Rom. 6.1-11; Col. 2:12; 2 Cor. 5:17). Christ now lives FOR us. Why was it necessary for Christ to rise from the dead? Because had He not rose from the dead, then sin and death would have had victory over Him, and therefore, the power of sin and death would not have been destroyed, and if the power of sin and death had not been destroyed, then sin and death would still be alive and reigning in our lives. It took our PERFECT God to die for us. Why? Because the reason the grave could not hold Jesus was do to the fact that Jesus did no sin--ever. There was no sin in Him. Therefore, the wages of sin--death--had no claim on Him, and because of this, He rose from the grave, overcoming sin and death for us and thus buying victory for us. SO NO ORDINARY MAN COULD HAVE BEEN THE PERFECT SACRIFICE. He has made His home in us. In order for the work that Christ has done to EFFECT us, Christ must dwell IN us. We must become a new creature in Him. This could not be possible unless Christ had arisen from the grave TO LIVE FOREVER MORE AND TO GIVE SPIRITUAL BITRH TO HIS CHILDREN. So this is another reason that He had to not only die for us, but also rise from the grave for us. So, as I've already stated, because sin and death has been destroyed in us through Christ, there is no more breaking of God's commandments (sin is the transgression of God's Law), and where there is no breaking of God's commandments, there is only the KEEPING of God's commandments, and where there is only the keeping of God's commandments, there is only absolute perfection. So we can fully understanding now how that both the death of Christ AND His resurrection has made us absolutely perfect in God's eyes; therefore, His standard of perfection is now met in us FULLY. Dead to the Law Now lets consider the Law of God more carefully. The apostle Paul said, " the Law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient and for sinners" (1 Tim. 1:9), and "It [the Law] was added because of transgressions" (Gal. 3:19). Take for example, the country of America. It has many laws concerning crime and punishment. Why were they established? Because of "transgressions." They would never have come into existence if there were no such thing as "transgressors." Now what if, somehow, a certain portion of the American population were suddenly CHANGED. The results of this change is that they are no longer transgressors. It's absolutely impossible for these "new creatures" (2 Cor. 5:17) to transgress the law. The authority that established the law does not consider them as being transgressors, so the law no longer applies to them. These new creatures were once old creatures, but they all died and were raised NEW creatures. They died transgressors, but were raised non-transgressors. Now, the rest of the population is still transgressing the law. They are in bondage to this law because they are under the curse of this law. They walk in fear because they know that the wrath of the lawgiver could descend upon them at anytime, anywhere (Rom. 1:18; Heb. 10:27). The new creatures, however, are free from this bondage, curse, and fear. They died to the law, and there is no more condemnation. There is no longer any law; THERE IS ONLY THE LAWGIVER. THEY NOW CAN FOCUS ALL THEIR ATTENTION ON THE LAWGIVER. So likewise, we who are in Christ died with Christ on the Cross (Rom. 6:6). We are buried with him by baptism into death (Rom. 6:3,4). But as we have died with him, we have also been RAISED with him (Rom. 6:4-11; Col. 2:12,13). We are dead to the law (Rom. 7:1-4). So where there is no more transgressors, there is no more need for the law, and where there is no more need for the law, then the law passes away. This is what Paul was referring to win he said, "for until the law, sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed WHERE THERE IS NO LAW" (Rom. 5:13). He is not teaching here that before the law was spelled out, God did not impute sin to transgressors. The reason destruction came upon Sodom and Gomorrah, and upon the whole world (when the flood came) was due to sin being imputed to transgressors. In saying that, "sin is not imputed where there is no law," Paul is making reference to the "new creature" that is not under the law but under grace (Rom. 6:14). For us who are under grace there is no law. Why? Because there IS law where there is transgression, but there is no law where there is grace, and where there is grace there is freedom and liberty. Some might say, "but I sin daily." Because of the sinful flesh that "is dead because of sin "(Rom. 8:10) and under the curse of sin, we will find the natural, carnal body going through the motions of sin daily (by thought or deed), but this sin is NOT imputed to the "new creature." Why? Because the new creature is joined to Christ, and whatever is joined to Christ cannot have sin imputed to it BECAUSE SIN CANNOT BE JOINED TO CHRIST. When sin cannot be imputed, THEN THE LAW HAS LOST ITS POWER. So even though we see our bodies going through the motions of sin daily, that sin is not and cannot be imputed to us because we are not transgressors in God's eyes; WE ARE JOINED TO CHRIST. THAT SPIRITUAL MAN/WOMAN CANNOT SIN (1 John 3:9). We are free from sin, so the law has no power over us. The law is dead to us in a very real sense and we are dead to the law (Rom. 7:4). "The law is good if we use it lawfully" (1 Tim. 1:8). The new testament generation uses the law "lawfully," I believe, when we use it to show the world that it's under a curse because of transgression. I believe we use it unlawfully when we try to meet God's perfect standard--naturally--through our ability to abstain from sin (trying to impress God by our WORKS. Now when I say that the Law is dead to us, I'm referring to the Law as condemner, not the Law as life. The Law--as life--is very much alive to us (Matt. 19:16-17) and reigning IN US; however, the Law, as condemner, is very much dead to us. The Royal Commands We know that the commandments (Law) of God are completely fulfilled in us (continuously and without fail) if we fulfill, BY THE GRACE OF GOD THROUGH FAITH, the royal commands that say, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" and "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" (Matt. 22:35-40; 7:12; Rom. 8:4; 13:8; 10:4; Gal. 5:14; 1 Tim. 1:5). In this we are perfected. So the command that says, "Be ye therefore perfect" (Matt. 5:48) IS ONE AND THE SAME WITH THESE ROYAL COMMANDS. Sin Some believe that any and all sin that they commit throughout the day is accounted to them until they consciously repent. But to have sin "accounted" to us, "the new creature," is to have sin IMPUTED to us (Rom. 4:8). To have sin IMPUTED to us is to have DEATH imputed to us because where there is sin, there is death. There cannot be one without the other. They occur SIMULTANEOUSLY with each other. When sin and death entered the world, they entered simultaneously. So to have sin imputed to us is to have death imputed to us, and where there is death, there is separation from Christ. So, if it's true that all sin, even the smallest of sin is accounted (imputed) to us until we consciously repent (mentally or vocally with our mouth), then we would actually be dying throughout the day, over and over. Christ would be stepping in and out of our hearts throughout the day (because we sin many times a day either by thought or deed). THERE WOULD BE A REVOLVING DOOR ON OUR HEARTS, so to speak. There is no place of limbo where sin goes to reside. It is EITHER imputed to us OR to Christ. If to us, then are we dead--no matter how small the sin--if to Christ, then do we live. When I speak of "repentance" I'm referring to asking for forgiveness of sins. If someone believes that they must consciously (mentally or verbally) ask God to forgive each and every sin that they commit throughout the day in order for the sin NOT to be imputed to them, then they have become a servant to the ACT of asking for forgiveness. They have come under bondage to a mechanical act, so to speak. Where then is there room for unconditional love and mercy (grace)? "For we have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father" (Rom. 8:15). So, do we really have such a weak, fickle salvation and Savior? Of course not. If we abide in faith, then there is a CONTINUOUS covering of the blood of Christ. If it was otherwise, then the act of asking for forgiveness would itself become our savior and focus; however, Jesus wants our full attention and focus on HIM. When it comes to sin, and if I find my mind dwelling on sinful things, I simply thank God for the victory that He has given me over sin, because I don't have to ask Him for forgiveness every time I find myself sinning either by thought or deed. Sometimes, after admitting to Him that I've sinned, I simply rejoice and thank Him for the forgiveness that's ALREADY there for me. Did the Israelites who had the blood on the front of their houses have to go through the act of asking for forgiveness over and over to keep death from entering in? (Ex. 12:7,13). Of course not. There was ONE application of the blood on their doors, and by grace through faith, that CONTINUOUS covering of blood kept sin and death away. They didn't have to worry about reapplying that blood to each and every sin, through an act of asking for forgiveness, over and over. As long as they ABIDED INSIDE that covering BY FAITH, they lived. IF THEY STEPPED OUT, then were they dead, for whatever is not of faith is sin (Rom. 14:23). In Summary Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matt. 11:28-30). Why is His yoke easy and His burden light? Because the PERFECTION that's required to take His yoke upon us and bear His burden is accomplished, made possible, and established by His life, death and resurrection. We can rest because it's not by our works or power. It's His work, His power, His grace. Amen. Copyright 2004 by Michael Nelson. The author can be reached at: [email protected] Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |