“In the same way in which Adam’s sins were imputed to us, so God imputed our sins to Christ; that is, he thought of them as belonging to Christ, and, since God is the ultimate judge and definer of what really is in the universe, when God thought of our sins as belonging to Christ then in fact they actually did belong to Christ.” (Grudem, 1995, p. 574)
That is why Good Friday is great. Christ on the cross bears the sins of the world. In particular, he bears my sins, and he bears your sins. What I could not bear, he bore. What I could not absolve, he absorbed. Christ solved my problems on that bloody Friday so many thousands of years ago.
May Good Friday be a thoughtful reminder to all of us…
- To the Fundamentalist…you cannot be holy enough. It’s not about you! Christ alone solves your sin problem. He alone can wash the inside and the outside of the cup.
- To the Backslider…you can’t outrun God. He has taken your sin. He has turned your darkness into light.
- To the Social Justice Activist…you cannot solve the ultimate injustice, our rejection of God. Plead the cause of the widow and orphan, but do not forget to sing the salvation of Christ on the Cross.
- To the Liberal…where are you without the cross? The same place you were before, unmoved. Reclaim the cross!
- To the Indifferent…see the blood-stained cross. Be moved. Be thankful.
Doxology:
“My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!”
Grudem, W. (1995). Systematic theology: An introduction to biblical doctrine. Zondervan.
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I like what you say about each of the categories. I have been thinking more and more how to relate to everyone I speak with. I'm finding more and more people who are joining the cause of Social Injustice with Political Activism but missing the love we're supposed to be showing people in the cross of Christ.
It's quite an interesting juxtaposition (and frustrating at times too), but it's refreshing to read you talking about the cross and how it spiritually wakes us up from the dead. Thanks Derek.
Very good and practical post. No matter which category we fall in that you listed, we still need the grace and mercy of God. Can't survive without it. And I like the books you mentioned.
Note: I linked here from Julie's blog where I read your comments today. Good job.