Several years ago the father of one of my daughter’s friends was murdered during his late night shift at 7-11. A few weeks later I was called for jury duty. Imagine my shock when I was seated as a prospective juror for the trial of the two young men accused of his murder. When I explained the situation to the judge, she asked, “You don’t feel you can be impartial in this case?” I wanted to scream, “Hell, no!” but I was more restrained in my response. As I walked past the defense table I felt a revulsion close to nausea sweep over me.
Certainly God feels that same revulsion toward us when He considers our sin, right? The truth of the Gospel gives a quite different picture. Exodus 34:6-7 (ESV) tells us God is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness … but who will by no means clear the guilty…” Sense the tension there? God is merciful and loving but also just. How can both be satisfied? It happens in the person of Jesus Christ.
As a chemistry major I worked with a precision balance. I placed a tiny 0.1 gram weight on one side and then carefully added and subtracted some exotic chemical on the other side to get a precise amount. Ask many people, “ Do you believe you will go to heaven when you die?” and they will likely reply, “I’ve lived a pretty good life. I think the good outweighs the bad.” Most non-Christian religions teach a similar theology on how to be pleasing to God. But how much does a lie weigh? An angry word? A lustful thought? I have to balance those against working at the food bank or a bit extra in the church offering. Which way does the scale tip? It’s pretty scary to think my eternal destiny – heaven or hell – depend on that balance. How do I appease an angry god, how do I cover my sin, how do I escape eternal punishment? The power of the Gospel is the scale was demolished by the cross. Jesus brought His blood to the mercy seat so I don’t have to bring mine.
Daniel as a young man was exiled from Israel to Babylon. Through God’s blessing, he became a respected member of the royal court. One night King Belshazzar threw a big party. When they were all drunk, a disembodied hand began writing on the wall. No one could read the writing until Daniel was brought in. He interpreted, “You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.” (Daniel 5:27 NIV) Which of our lives could be weighed on the balance of God’s justice and not be found wanting.
During the COVID pandemic of 2020, we learned a lot through the media about how viruses work. We heard about antigens and macrophages and lymphocytes. And this is only one of thousands of processes that are going on continually within my body day and night without my initiation or intervention. Yet some would defiantly declare, “There is no God!” and the balance tips toward eternal destruction. We are undercharged at the grocery store, “Today is my lucky day.” And the balance tips. “It was just a little white lie.” And the balance tips. “Only a one night stand.” And the balance tips. “I am a little buzzed but I’m ok to drive.” And the balance tips.
Atonement can come in two ways: punishment or substitution. The star quarterback is injured, coach will substitute the second string guy. I am out of basil for this recipe; I am going to substitute thyme. The third grade teacher is sick today, there will be a substitute. The justice of God demands punishment for sin. The Law of the Old Testament gave the Israelites a system to address sin as an individual and as a nation. It reminded everyone of the gravity of disobedience and the mercy of God. The Israelites of Old Testament times recognized they couldn’t meet the just requirements of a holy God, so animal sacrifices became their substitute. A spotless, unblemished lamb took their place to satisfy God’s justice. Over and over and over those sacrifices were made because the guilt kept coming. Only a perfect gift for sacrifice could satisfy the holiness of God. Yet any gift we can bring will by nature be imperfect. That is why God had to provide the sacrifice of His Son.
Moses instructed the Israelites in the ceremony of the scapegoat (Leviticus 16). We still use the term today when we want to shift blame for something that goes wrong. The Jewish priest would lay his hands on the head of a goat transferring the sins of the nation. The goat was then led into the wilderness to die. Thus God’s demand of justice was satisfied and the people could receive mercy.
When our dog pees on the floor she can’t offer the cat as a substitute. She must face the punishment. There is only one perfect, spotless life that is a sufficient substitute for the sin of mankind. Jesus is our substitute.
What is the most powerful verse in the Bible? Many would say John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (NKJV). Others would suggest John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (ESV) Or perhaps Ephesians 2:8; “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” (NLT) I asked the question on Face Book and got these in response: John 13:34, Mark 12:30-31, Colossians 1:27, Matthew 6:14-15, Hebrews 13:8, John 14:6, 1John 4:10 and Proverbs 3:5.
I propose the most powerful verse in the Bible is 2Corinthians 5:21: “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (NKJV). The Divine Exchange: the one man in history who never sinned took on sin itself and became so abhorrent that the Father turned His face away. More than the physical pain of crucifixion was that of breaking the bond between Father and Son that had existed from eternity past. “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me.” (Mark 15:34 NKJV) My sin caused a chasm between me and God that I could not cross. His justice demanded payment and Jesus paid the price on the cross so I can stand before the throne righteous and justified.
Every year the Jewish high priest brought the blood of bulls and goats to a man-made altar to atone for the sins of the nation. Jesus brought His own blood into the heavenly Sanctuary as an eternal atonement for our sin. Our job is to trust in that sacrifice. If we do, we can come boldly before the throne of grace. (Hebrews 4:16)
What thought comes when you hear grace? A prayer before meals? Grace is so much more. It is God’s hand extended to draw us “up from the pit of destruction.” (Psalm 40:2 ESV) Grace is changing us into the people of God. The truth of the Gospel is carrying out that transformation. What is that truth? Jesus died as my substitute as our atonement so I will not stand in judgement for my sin. Through faith in Jesus I can come before God the Father without fear or shame. Sin always brings shame. Only God can cover my shame.
How do I enter into that gift of grace? One traditional way is the “Romans Road”, a series of Scriptures from the book of Romans that outlines the “road” to salvation:
- “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23 NKJV). I acknowledge my sin and make the decision to change.
- “For the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23a NLT). Sin has consequences. I deserve punishment, not reward. No Jesus, no hope.
- “But the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23b NLT). Through Jesus I have the opportunity to live differently, to envision a different destiny. Know Jesus, know hope.
- “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9 NKJV). The power that raised Jesus from the grave can work in me to create a new destiny. It has the power to transform me into His likeness.
It is a grave injustice to the Gospel to think that power comes just through saying a prayer; it comes by following Jesus. Belief is a good starting point, but as James pointed out, “Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.” (James 2:19b) That’s not very good company. No, it is vital that we follow the prayer with a commitment to growth. And so I will add another verse from Romans:
- “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” (Romans 12:2a NLT) Through Bible study, prayer and fellowship with other believers we will grow in knowledge, understanding and obedience.
God urges us to be transformed from the inside out. This is not a means to earn salvation or an attempt to tip the balance in our favor, but the natural response we should have to being saved. More than external transformation, God is looking for a transformation that starts on the inside and naturally manifests on the outside. There are no shortcuts. There is no magical formula for renewing our minds. We must fill our minds with God’s Word. As Jesus prayed to the Father, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17 ESV)
I understand those two young men were sentenced to life without parole. Fortunately I do not have to stand before a jury of my peers to have my life judged. When it comes time for me to stand before God’s judgement seat, the devil may be there to bring accusations but Jesus will be my defense attorney. Isaiah 53:5a (NIV [with my additions]) tells us, “But he was pierced for our transgressions [our outward actions], he was crushed for our iniquities [our inner thoughts].” He went to the cross to satisfy God’s requirements of justice and it was there He declared, “It is finished.”
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