Christ Made Sin For Us — 2 Corinthians 5:21

 

            In order to save me, the Lord Jesus Christ was made to be sin for me. The Son of God voluntarily took upon himself that horrible, ugly, vile, ignominious thing which he most hates — sin. O my soul, be forever astonished! The God-man became sin for me, that I might be made the righteousness of God in him!

 

A Door Opened for Sinners

 

When he was made to be sin for me, my sins were imputed to him; he was treated as the obnoxious thing itself and suffered all the wrath of God due to me for my sin. The Father forsook him. Justice was executed upon him. And when the infinite justice of God had spent itself upon the sinners’ Substitute, a door was opened in heaven for sinners, whereby we may draw near to God (Hebrews 10:19-23).

 

“For Us”

 

            Christ was made to be sin “for us.” That little word, “us,” is very important. Every time the Bible sets forth the glorious, gospel doctrine of substitutionary redemption, every time the Word of God explains the meaning of Christ’s death and the atonement he made for sinners at Calvary, it speaks of his work as something done for a specific people, by which he accomplished the eternal redemption and secured the everlasting salvation of a specific people called “us.” The Son of God was made to be sin for and redeemed “us.” “Us” whom he came to save (Matthew 1:21. – “Us” his church and espoused bride (Ephesians 5:25-27). – “Us” for whom he prays (John 17:9, 20). – “Us” who are the elect of God (Ephesians 1:3-6). – “Us” who come to God by him (Hebrews 7:25). – “Us” who, walking in the light of the gospel, believe on him (1 John 1:7, 9).

 

            Like all the other blessings of grace, redemption is for God’s elect alone. If Christ were Surety and Substitute for all men, then all men must be saved. Had he paid the debt of all men, then none could ever suffer the wrath of God for sin. Justice would not allow it. But that he did not do. Jesus Christ died for us. He died for me, and paid my debt in full. How I rejoice to know that I shall, therefore, never be called to account for myself.

 

“Payment God cannot twice demand,

First at my bleeding Surety’s hand,

And then again at mine!”

 

Security In Christ

 

            I know that Christ died for me because I trust him. My faith (the gift of his Spirit) in him is the result of his death for me (Gal. 3:13-14). Oh, how the Son of God must love me (1 John 4:9-10). Oh, how I ought to love him! Now in him I am absolutely safe and secure. Christ has magnified the law and made it honorable for me. He has put away my sin. This sinner, for whom the Son of God was made to be sin, can never be charged with sin again (Rom 4:8; 8:34).

 

“He bore that I might never bear

The Father’s righteous ire!”

 

In him, God is both just and the Justifier of this sinner, who believes on his Son (Rom. 3:24-26).

 

 

 

 

 

Don Fortner

 

 

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