| Why did Christ Have to Die?, Part 8 |
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| Written by David Lawrence |
| Sunday, July 19 2009 00:00 |
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We have seen that the only possible acceptable sacrifice for man that would satisfy fully the justice of God in payment for our sins was offered by the God-man Jesus Christ. However, it is true that not only must the sacrifice be sufficient for the payment for our sins and satisfy the holy justice of God (expiation), but the sacrifice must enable us to stand before God with acceptable righteousness (propitiation). Christ’s perfect obedience provides perfect righteousness for us, as Paul wrote in Phil. 3:9 as he prayed that he “be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.” The writer of Hebrews comments in Heb. 9:14, “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! “ Peter wrote, “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Pet. 1:18-19). Our conclusion then is that there is no other way for man to be acceptable with God, to have forgiveness for sin or the hope of eternal life apart from the death of the God-man Jesus Christ, confirmed in His resurrection from the dead. For “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Heb. 9:22). By God’s grace, God is willing to accept a substitute, but that substitute offering must be perfect, and only Jesus Christ is qualified to offer it. “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 2:5). In Jesus’ words in Matt. 20:28, “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Rom. 5:9, “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!” “You were redeemed…with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Pet. 1:19). |
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