Justification and Substitution
A Christian is not saved by believing; that would be dependence on human reasoning. Realization of redemption comes through obedience and believing1it is an act of God’s grace. Repentance does not save; it is only through obedience “to repent” (Mark 1: 15) realization comes because of what God has done through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; not of works” (Ephesians 2:8 9).
Modern presentations of the gospel place emphasis on the “effect” instead of the cause. It is not that obedience, consecration, and dedication establish the right relationship with God; it is never that! The father/child relationship with God is brought about because, prior to all of that, Christ died for sin2 i.e., to remove the sin nature.
Turning to God believing what God reveals concerning His Son; the glorious atonement of the Cross of Christ instantaneously places a person into that right relationship with God. As a result of the supernatural act of God’s grace the believer is justified, not because of sorrow for sin, or repentance, it is recognition of what Jesus alone has done for His love of God the Father. Love and justice are met in the Son of God as He suffered on the cross not for His sin but for the sins of the whole world. (See Ephesians 2:8 above).
“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21 ). The Spirit of God brings justification in an instant of time, realization of salvation comes and knowledge of salvation dawns without knowing how it was accomplished.
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were always subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:14). The Son has freed the slaves of sin. “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8: 31-32).
The modern view of the death of Jesus is that Jesus died for sins out of sympathy for suffering mankind. The New Testament teaches that He took our sin on Himself not because of sympathy, but because of His respect for His Father. “He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (II Corinthians 5:21).
Sins are removed as a direct cause of the death of Jesus,3 and the only explanation for His death is His love and obedience to His Father4 not His sympathy for mankind. We are acceptable to God not because we have obeyed, nor because we have promised to give up things, but because of the death of Christ, and for no other reason. God has done it all to demonstrate His righteousness unequivocally out of both his properties of infinite love and justice.
God loved His Son and the Son returned that love to the Father in kind. When the believer returns the love of God trusting in the perfect sacrifice on the cross he does so in obedience. Having been transformed by the Spirit of God; he conforms to the image of Christ (Romans 12: 1-2). As the Son of God was eternally one the Father. The believer becomes one with Christ. That they might be one with me as I am one with you (John 17: 22).
- “ with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Roman’s 10: 9-10).
- “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession” (Psalms 2:8)
- John 3: 16-17; Romans 8: 32
- The great commandment in the law; Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.
Loading ...