Sin and Christ’s Atoning Work
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. [Rom. 3:23]
We have considered some of the majestic names of our Lord Jesus Christ. We now turn to the work of redemption Jesus accomplished for us. In theology this is called the atoning work of Christ, or simply the atonement. This atoning work was made necessary by human sin, and there are three aspects of sin to consider.
First, sin is a failure to do what we are obligated to do. God as Creator has given us responsibilities for which he holds us accountable. If we fail to carry out these responsibilities, we incur a debt.
Second, sin is an expression of enmity, a violation of the personal relationship human beings are supposed to have with their Creator. When we sin against God we break that relationship. We express not devotion but rather a hostility that must be addressed.
Third, the Westminster Shorter Catechism says that “sin is any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God.” That means any time we break God’s law we sin.
We have to keep these three concepts of sin clearly in mind if we are to understand what is necessary to restore a relationship between God and fallen humanity. If a crime has been committed, we have to deal with penal sanctions. If a debt has been incurred, we have to come to grips with what we call pecuniary sanctions. Enmity has to do with personal relationships, and these need to be healed.
If I steal $1000 I may not feel I owe anything, but I do. I may not feel I committed a crime, but I did. I may not feel I acted in a hostile fashion, but the victim feels it. Whether I admit it or not, the objective fact is that a crime has been committed. Subjectively I may deny the offense, but true guilt exists, and society is right to punish the crime. In the same manner many people deny their guilt before a holy God, but the inescapable truth of the gospel is that God will hold each responsible. With the single word “all,” Paul universalizes the problem of sin.
Coram Deo
Whether a person feels the need to be reconciled to God, the fact is that God is a “consuming fire” (Heb. 12:29). The Bible tells us that a proper fear of this God is the beginning of knowledge (Prov. 1:7). Ask God to give you a proper fear of his intolerance of sin, that you might cling to Jesus and his atonement with greater desperation.
Sproul, R.C., Before the Face of God: A Daily Guide for Living from the Book of Romans, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books) 1992.
We have considered some of the majestic names of our Lord Jesus Christ. We now turn to the work of redemption Jesus accomplished for us. In theology this is called the atoning work of Christ, or simply the atonement. This atoning work was made necessary by human sin, and there are three aspects of sin to consider.
First, sin is a failure to do what we are obligated to do. God as Creator has given us responsibilities for which he holds us accountable. If we fail to carry out these responsibilities, we incur a debt.
Second, sin is an expression of enmity, a violation of the personal relationship human beings are supposed to have with their Creator. When we sin against God we break that relationship. We express not devotion but rather a hostility that must be addressed.
Third, the Westminster Shorter Catechism says that “sin is any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God.” That means any time we break God’s law we sin.
We have to keep these three concepts of sin clearly in mind if we are to understand what is necessary to restore a relationship between God and fallen humanity. If a crime has been committed, we have to deal with penal sanctions. If a debt has been incurred, we have to come to grips with what we call pecuniary sanctions. Enmity has to do with personal relationships, and these need to be healed.
If I steal $1000 I may not feel I owe anything, but I do. I may not feel I committed a crime, but I did. I may not feel I acted in a hostile fashion, but the victim feels it. Whether I admit it or not, the objective fact is that a crime has been committed. Subjectively I may deny the offense, but true guilt exists, and society is right to punish the crime. In the same manner many people deny their guilt before a holy God, but the inescapable truth of the gospel is that God will hold each responsible. With the single word “all,” Paul universalizes the problem of sin.
Coram Deo
Whether a person feels the need to be reconciled to God, the fact is that God is a “consuming fire” (Heb. 12:29). The Bible tells us that a proper fear of this God is the beginning of knowledge (Prov. 1:7). Ask God to give you a proper fear of his intolerance of sin, that you might cling to Jesus and his atonement with greater desperation.
Sproul, R.C., Before the Face of God: A Daily Guide for Living from the Book of Romans, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books) 1992.
posted by Jerry | 7:39 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home