Text: “For He (God the Father) hath made Him (God the Son) to be sin for us, Who (He) knew no sin; that we (Hell-deserving sinners) might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”
2 Corinthians 5:21.
Good morning, Substituted Christian! You and I were on our way to a Hell that is hot and filled with Eternal suffering. Yet because of Christ’s Sacrifice for sinners on Calvary’s Cross, He took our place. Praise God, we are free!
“Surely He (Christ Jesus) hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows...He was wounded (or tormented) for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed...the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquities of us all (i.e. all born again believers!).” (Isaiah 53:4-5) (Genesis 3:15)
Definition of the term: The doctrine of Substitution concerns the penal sufferings (i.e. punishment required by Law) of Christ Jesus, in the place of His people, by which everyone born again of Him are SAVED.
God’s righteous penalties for sin had to be met, and God had to be satisfied by an acceptable Sacrifice. Christ’s SINLESSNESS and perfect conformity to all God’s holy laws, was the only sacrifice the Father could accept - to pay the Price of our vile sins, “...the just for the unjust...” (2 Corinthians 5:21) (John 1:29)
Christ’s holiness and righteousness was the only thing pleasing to a thrice holy God. (Hebrews 4:14-15) (Matthew 3:13-17)
Thus, the satisfaction offered by Christ was not on His own behalf, but to bear the sins of “...His people...”, and to suffer the required penalty of God’s wrath (literally) “...in our place...”. What a Saviour! Amen. (Matthew 1:21) (Luke 19:10) (John 3:16)
Substitution: Substitution reveals the highest exhibition of God’s grace and mercy towards Hell-deserving sinners such as we. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
It is, of course, the very essence of the Gospel message of Salvation in Christ ALONE. None other Sacrifice could Atone for the sins of the Elect Body of believers, the true Church of Christ! (Psalm 118:1) (1 Corinthians 1:12-27) (John 3:3-8) (Romans 5:1)
Substitution: Substitution manifests the Father’s love for sinners in sending His only begotten Lamb to suffer in our place upon the Cross at Calvary. The Father’s grief must have been INFINITE indeed!
Some reflection of God the Father’s sufferings is revealed in type, as King David mourns the death of his beloved son Absalom upon a much earlier tree than Christ’s Cross. (2 Samuel 18:33) (Acts 2:22-26)
Substitution: Substitution manifests the Son’s love for His people, as He suffers INFINITE sufferings upon that Calvary Tree - the Almighty Bridegroom in place of His weak Bride, the Church. (1 John 4:10) (John 10:11)
Christ took upon Himself our grave-clothes of sins that we, by His grace, might be ROBED in the Robe of His righteousness! Oh, the love of a risen Christ Jesus! Thank you, beloved Lord God! (Isaiah 61:10) (1 Peter 1:16-19) Hallelujah!
Substitution: Substitution is portrayed wonderfully well in the Gospels as Barabbas, - the guilty, rebellious murderer - is set free; and Christ, the faultless One, goes to the cruel Cross in his place. Instead of the guilty sinner being made to suffer the legal penalty for sin; the guiltless, sinless, Saviour, Jesus Christ, suffers as his substitute! (Luke 23:18-25)
Substitution: The doctrine of Substitution helps us to comprehend, to some degree, how God can remain a HOLY and JUST God of immutable wrath against sin; while at the same time be a God of infinite LOVE and pardoning mercy towards the sinner who has, by faith, received Christ Jesus as their SIN-BEARER, and Saviour; their blessed and gracious Substitute.
Christ, therefore, suffered as a substitute for His elect people. All others who refuse His Substitutionary Sacrifice must suffer for themselves in Hell’s fires forever! There can be no ‘double jeopardy’ in the matter.
Christ Jesus suffered for us who are saved that we might be forever blessed with peace. He suffered unto death, that we might be sustained unto Eternal Life. (Romans 5:1) (John 14:27)
Thought: This, therefore, is the glorious Scriptural doctrine of Christ’s Substitution. Teach it, preach it - thank God daily for its truth. Amen. (See Basic Christian Doctrines button on our website www.ulsterchristians.org)
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