I am reading a book giving simply marvelous insights into the Atonement (Jesus as a sacrificial substitution for our sin and the restoration of relationship with God) and thought I would give a quick one which helps us understand the necessity of the death of Christ in relation to Sin and the nature of God. Here goes:
"If sin as guilt is man's debt, estrangement, and a crime against God, the removal of sin MUST be seen as debt being paid, reconciliation replacing alienation, and the crime eliminated.- Paul Wells 'Cross Words'
The MUST is essential as these conditions exist because man's sin against God bears upon His essential attributes-- Holiness, righteousness, and justice. Atonement for sin requires a satisfaction demanded by these attributes if the relationship between God and man as sinner is to be restored. God, by His very nature, cannot wipe the slate clean. For Him to do so would be a denial of His character and principles of law. If the personal relation between God and man is to be renewed, a solution must be provided, which corresponds to man's need and God's demands."
Powerful I thought
Simon
2 comments:
Hey mate, I just read that book in prep for my debut preach at emerge!!
While we are on the topic: I love this:
Hasn't Calvin just got such an amazing way with words...
"This is our acquittal: the guilt that held us liable for punishment has been transferred to the head of the Son of God (Is. 53:12). We must, above all, remember this substitution, lest we tremble and remain anxious throughout life — as if God’s righteous vengeance, which the Son of God has taken upon himself, still hung over us. By his obedience, however, Christ truly acquired and merited grace for us with his Father. Many passages of Scripture surely and firmly attest this. I take it to be a commonplace that if Christ made satisfaction for our sins, if he paid the penalty owed by us, if he appeased God by his obedience — in short, if as a righteous man he suffered for unrighteous men — then he acquired salvation for us by his righteousness, which is tantamount to deserving it." Calvin
Glad all is good with you buddy, fancey having a garden to Mow hey?!
Chris
Is that still my copy of Cross Words that you've got?!?
Email me sometime - I'd like to know how you are doing.
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