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Made Sin “For he hath made him sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) I am fully aware that natural reason opposes Paul’s doctrine. Many have endeavored to make the Word of God say something else. We are told that Christ had sin imputed to him, that he bore the guilt of sin, that he was charged with the debt of our sins, that he became accountable for our sins, that he bore all the effects of our sins, and that he was treated as if he were sin. But this plain, straightforward, blessed statement of Holy Scripture is almost universally denied by men. — “He hath made him sin.” But there it stands. — “He hath made him sin.” How can this be? What can it mean? God’s Doing In human law and reason, among men guilt cannot be transferred, but only its effects. Among the sons of men, a third person may cancel my debts, but not my crimes. But I am not talking to you about things men can or may do. I am talking to you about what our God has done. And in this great affair of salvation our great God stands infinitely alone. In this, his most glorious work, there is such a display of justice, mercy, wisdom, and power as never entered into the heart of man to conceive. Consequently, it can have no parallel in the actions of mortals. — “Who hath declared this from ancient time? Who hath told it from that time? Have not I the Lord? And there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me” (Isaiah 45:21). “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth [beareth] iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth in mercy.” (Micah 7:18) God’s Words Were our sins transferred to Christ and made to be his, or was our Savior only treated as if that were the case? What do the Scriptures say? I am not even slightly concerned about what men say concerning this matter. I only want to know — What does God say in his Word? This is what God says. — “He hath made him sin.” Bible Doctrine In this statement, “He hath made him sin,” the word “made” is very significant. It is not a legal term, but a word that carries the idea of “create.” God the Holy Ghost tells us in plain, unmistakable words that God the Father, by one great, mysterious act, gathered together all the sins of all his elect throughout all the ages of time, and caused his darling Son to be sin for us. And that is the doctrine taught throughout Holy Scripture (Isaiah 53:4-12; Galatians 3:13-14; 1 Peter 2:24). The Word of God everywhere teaches that Christ our blessed Surety was made sin for us, that he bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that the Lord God laid upon him our iniquities, that “He hath made him sin.” Don Fortner

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