"That Taketh Away The Sin Of The World"

John 1:29

Here is John the Baptist's message, "Behold the Lamb of God,that taketh away the sin of the world." The gospel of God not only declares that Christ is the Lamb of God and that he is the Lamb slain to make atonement for sin, but also that his atonement for sin is a gloriously effectual atonement.We must understand this. It is vital. Effectual atonement is an essential article of gospel truth. Without it there is no gospel. The gospel does not setforth a Christ who makes it possible for sin to be taken away. The gospel declares that Christ, the Lamb of God, "Taketh away the sin of the world!" He "put away sin by the sacrifice of himself" (Heb. 9:26). Christ's atonement was and is an effectual atonement for sin.

CHRIST TOOK AWAY THE CURSE AND PENALTY OF OUR SIN WHEN HE DIED AS OUR SUBSTITUTE UPON THE CURSED TREE (Rom. 8:1-3; Gal. 3:13). Every sinner for whom Christ died has been absolutely and forever freed from the curse of the law. There is no possibility of even one sin being charged upon one for whom Christ died.

CHRIST HAS TAKEN AWAY THE REMEMBRANCE OF OUR SINS FROM THE BOOK OF GOD'S MEMORY IN HEAVEN (Isa. 43:25; 44:22). God will never remember sin against his elect. He will not impute sin to those for whom Christ died. Why? Because our Savior's precious blood has wiped our record clean in the court of heaven. "Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (II Cor. 5:17).

CHRIST TAKES AWAY THE POWER OF SIN IN REGENERATION (Rom. 6:14, 18). When he saves a sinner by the almighty power and irresistible grace of his Holy Spirit the Lord Jesus frees his ransomed one from the dominion of sin. Those who are in Christ are no longer the servants of sin.

CHRIST TAKES AWAY THE GUILT OF SIN FROM THE BELIEVER'S CONSCIENCE WHEN HIS PRECIOUS BLOOD IS EFFECTUALLY APPLIED TO THE REDEEMED. When we were first converted, Christ's blood removed the horrible load of guilt from our consciences (Heb. 9:14). And though we constantly sin now, his blood still cleanses us of guilt before God as we confess our sin to him.

AND CHRIST SHALL TAKE AWAY THE VERY BEING OF SIN IN THE LAST DAY AT THE RESURRECTION (I Cor. 15:47-48). When we are raised in the likeness of our Redeemer, the Lamb of God, we will have no original sin, no nature of sin, no actual sins, no body of sin. We will not even have the sorrow of sin! Christ takes away sin!

Don Fortner