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Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, - Galatians 1:3-4 HCSB

Admission of guilt is never enough. There must be atonement – restitution. Halakha allowed the poor an alternative when they could not afford the usual sacrifice.[1] But what happens when the perpetrator can afford nothing? We are all Yahweh’s slaves. Some acknowledge it and others rebel to it, but we are His nevertheless. How does a slave, who is already owned by his Master, repay the Master when he has sinned?

Since we could not afford sin’s penalty, Christ came to offer Himself as a ransom in our place.[2] Since the wage of sin is death,[3] the ransom had to be the body and blood – the death – of the Perfect Lamb. It is not sufficient to merely acknowledge His death. We must take it for ourselves. We must eat it. To hold it in the hand is to run the risk of dropping it. To merely hold the Messiah’s sacrifice in our mind is to run the risk of missing its point. It is to be consumed, to become a part of us, to influence every aspect of our lives.[4]

Jesus claimed us and took personal responsibility for us.[5] The Master went all the way for us. He didn’t just SEEM to die. He wasn’t merely unconscious. His spirit left His body and He died.[6] He did this of His own accord, without being coerced.[7]

Christ’s offering is so superior, so entirely sufficient, that it negated the need for any other type of sacrifice.[8] It only needed to be done once; the need for ritual sacrifices ended with the Messiah’s last breath,[9] and it was sufficient for the whole world.[10]

Those who believe this and ask for Jesus’ death to be counted against their sins will find themselves justified. They will be granted eternal life. As they are credited with Christ’s death, so they will be credited with His resurrection. Like the Master, though their bodies may die, they too will one day be resurrected.[11]

The Messiah’s sacrifice not only paid the penalty for our sins, but also allowed us to enjoy a restored relationship with Yahweh Ra’ah, the Lord God our Shepherd.[12] The motivation behind this amazing act was love, which is why the Ransomed should be characterized by sacrificial love.[13] God wants everyone to receive this gift, but there is only one way. This is the cure for our disease. To refuse this grace is to refuse life. God does not send us to hell. We send ourselves there when we refuse His rescue.[14]

Grace is not an excuse for lawlessness. Mercy is not grounds for rebellious living. Hashem’s grace should instead be an impetus for holiness. Gratitude for this wonderful gift should drive us to sanctify ourselves and to live holy, joyful lives.[15]

[1] Leviticus 5:5-7

[2] Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45

[3] Romans 6:23

[4] Matthew 26:26-28; Luke 22:19-20; Philippians 2:12

[5] John 10:11,15

[6] Philippians 2:8; John 19:30

[7] John 10:17-18

[8] Hebrews 9:13-14

[9] Hebrews 10:9-10; 1 Peter 3:18

[10] 1 John 2:2

[11] Romans 4:24-25; Galatians 2:19-20

[12] 1 Peter 2:24-25

[13] John 3:16; 1 John 3:16; Revelation 1:5

[14] 1 Timothy 2:3-6

[15] Ephesians 5:1-4; Titus 2:14

"'Winging It" from Stan Smith

Washed by the Water of the Word