The crucifixion of Christ, exactly what was accomplished?
They added this to their question. "I have been thinking a lot of the "objective" side to the sacrifice of Christ. Most Christians say my punishment was taken before I came to faith. If that is true why do I need to believe to be saved? You understand my thinking?
If we on the other hand say that Christ conquered sin by taking the punishment for sin on himself, as a sacrifice for sin to [be] received by faith (that we are not atoned until we have faith), it sounds more logical to me. You follow? The only problem is, can I fully rest in that I'm forgiven if I need faith to be forgiven? Then I first need to know I have faith, to trust that I'm forgiven. Complicated?"
Does this sound familiar? One thing to always remember when it comes to these types of statements is to never accept the premise. The premise of this statement is forgiveness equals salvation or, at the very least, you have to believe you are forgiven in order to be forgiven. It hints at universal salvation, but that doesn't seem to be what they meant by asking this question. I believe they are sincerely perplexed at what to do.
It is correct that Jesus Christ took our punishment before any of us came to faith in Him.
"God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19)."
"He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2)."
However, what many people fail to recognize is that the death of Jesus Christ doesn't save anybody. It only made salvation possible. "For if the dead are not raised, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins (1 Corinthians 15:16-17)." The problem between mankind and God is not that we are sinners in need of forgiveness. The problem is that we are spiritually dead to God and need His life restored to us through His indwelling Holy Spirit. "For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life (Romans 5:10)!"
Furthermore, Jesus Christ did not "atone" for sin. He was the "propitiating" sacrifice for it. "In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:10)." Atonement covered sin. It remembers sin. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ took sin away. "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29)!" God no longer remembers our sins because of the death of Jesus Christ. "Then He adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." And where these have been forgiven, an offering for sin is no longer needed (Hebrews 10:17-18)."
Faith is responding to the truth God reveals to you. The way you react to the truth that you are forgiven is by not seeking forgiveness when you sin. Instead of asking God to forgive you, through various bloodless sacrifices, God does not require or accept, you tell Him thank you. You thank God because sin is so severe that it deserves the death of God as payment. You don't have a life to give that God would accept as payment for your sins. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is a once for all sacrifice that purchased eternal redemption for our sins. The sin issue is over between God and man. Therefore, the next time you enter a confession booth, utter a prayer of forgiveness, answer an altar call, or seek forgiveness in any manner, you are not resting in what Jesus Christ accomplished for you.
No comments:
Post a Comment