1 Peter 1:11 states concerning the Old Testament Prophets - "Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow."
The testimony of scripture concerning the pre-existence of Jesus Christ before is virgin birth in Bethlehem is abundant. To appreciate the richness and value of the Old Testament, one must understand it in light of Christ's coming to earth as God who became man, and understand His appearances in types and shadows in the Old Testament.
By the time we come to the New Testament, we discover that 109 Old Testament scriptures predicted events surrounding his 1st coming and hundreds more speak about events that will have to do with His future second coming. Some examples below from the Old Testament gives evidence of Christ's Pre-existence and appearance throughout the Old Testament:
1. Melechizedek, the Kingly Priest of Salem in Genesis 14, is stated to be Christ appearing to Abraham in Hebrews 5,6,7.
2. The Rock that gushed forth water for Moses and the people of God in the wilderness is stated to be somehow an appearance of Christ in 1 Cornthians 10
3. The Tabernacle, with its types, ceremonies and symbolism pictures Christ
4. The Passover celebration is a pictureof Christ, the sacrifice for sin (Exodus 12-15 and 1 Corinthians 5:7
5. Joshua and the people of God conquering the seven Canaanite nations in the book of Joshua is a picture of Christ leading Christians to take possession of their Christian walk (Joshua and Hebrews 3 & 4)
These are but just a few examples of what Bible teachers call "Christophanies" or "appearances of Christ in the Old Testament". Jesus stated to His disciples in Luke 24 that the Old Testament scriptures speak about Him. Let us turn to them and listen, since they too are scripture and point us to our crucified, risen and exalted Lord.
Welcome to Growing Christian Resources, where you can search over 2,000 resources pertaining to your Christian walk, the explanation and defense of the Christian worldview and links to audio and video resources. Please checkout the New Hope podcast at www.gcrpodcast.wordpress.com and www.newhope-ny.org. For those desiring to dig-deeper into the scriptures, please check out www.biblicalexegete.wordpress.com.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Senders and Goers
3 John 7-8 For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.
At the church where I pastor we are celebrating missions day. Missions day is where various missions organizations come and have the opportunity to interract and communicate God's work to His people. The Apostle John, one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus Christ, wrote the above text under the inspritation of the Holy Spirit. Any time a Christian goes out and shares the gospel, they are a missionary. The word "missionary" comes from the latin missio meaning "arrow" or "a thrown spear" (where we also get our word 'missle'). Thus God literally desires for every Christian to be used in His hand to target the lost and reach the world for Jesus.
Today we will be hosting some missionaries who do the very thing John is speaking of here. We must understand that the mission to reach the world for Christ's sake is not our idea, nor the idea of the missionaries going abroad. Rather it is the passion of God reaching forth through the heart, minds and mouths of those who go forth in obedience to His call. (Please compare 2 Corinthians 5:15-21) Now notice some of the things John commands concerning those missionaries that go abroad.
1. This mission needs our support
John writes - "Therefore we ought to support such men". (3 John 8). The word there for "support" gives the idea of "bearing up, coming up from underneath". And notice too how John emphasizes "ought". Not should, not perhaps, not if it is convenient, but "ought". This speaks of responsibility. As God's people, we all have a stake in the great commission, and not just those few who go out and proclaim the message to an unbelieving world.
2. The mission includes us
John continues in verse 8 of his short letter - "so that we may be fellow workers with the truth". When you and I give of our finances, our time and our prayers, we are as much a part of the mission as those going forth. In any Great Commission activity for Christ's glory there are two elements - senders and goers. The senders support and the goers report. The senders give for the gospel and the goers live out the gospel. The senders pray and the goers proclaim. Without one of those elements, the other could not fulfill its purpose.
Senders need goers. If there are currently no goers, pray to the Lord of the harvest that He may raise them up. If the goers have no senders, the senders need to heed the call of their master. May we, by the grace and power of Christ, work together and spreading the goodnews of Jesus Christ. For He has sent us to go!
At the church where I pastor we are celebrating missions day. Missions day is where various missions organizations come and have the opportunity to interract and communicate God's work to His people. The Apostle John, one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus Christ, wrote the above text under the inspritation of the Holy Spirit. Any time a Christian goes out and shares the gospel, they are a missionary. The word "missionary" comes from the latin missio meaning "arrow" or "a thrown spear" (where we also get our word 'missle'). Thus God literally desires for every Christian to be used in His hand to target the lost and reach the world for Jesus.
Today we will be hosting some missionaries who do the very thing John is speaking of here. We must understand that the mission to reach the world for Christ's sake is not our idea, nor the idea of the missionaries going abroad. Rather it is the passion of God reaching forth through the heart, minds and mouths of those who go forth in obedience to His call. (Please compare 2 Corinthians 5:15-21) Now notice some of the things John commands concerning those missionaries that go abroad.
1. This mission needs our support
John writes - "Therefore we ought to support such men". (3 John 8). The word there for "support" gives the idea of "bearing up, coming up from underneath". And notice too how John emphasizes "ought". Not should, not perhaps, not if it is convenient, but "ought". This speaks of responsibility. As God's people, we all have a stake in the great commission, and not just those few who go out and proclaim the message to an unbelieving world.
2. The mission includes us
John continues in verse 8 of his short letter - "so that we may be fellow workers with the truth". When you and I give of our finances, our time and our prayers, we are as much a part of the mission as those going forth. In any Great Commission activity for Christ's glory there are two elements - senders and goers. The senders support and the goers report. The senders give for the gospel and the goers live out the gospel. The senders pray and the goers proclaim. Without one of those elements, the other could not fulfill its purpose.
Senders need goers. If there are currently no goers, pray to the Lord of the harvest that He may raise them up. If the goers have no senders, the senders need to heed the call of their master. May we, by the grace and power of Christ, work together and spreading the goodnews of Jesus Christ. For He has sent us to go!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
A New Creation
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
If anyone is in Christ....
This one verse tells us about the the truth of the incorruptible life of God transforming the human nature of the Christian. It sets forth the condition: "If any anyone is in Christ". To be "in Christ" refers to being "in association with Him" or "connected to Him" by faith. When I by grace through faith believe on Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord and treasure, the Holy Spirit of God takes me and transfers me from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of the Beloved Son. (please compare Acts 26:18)
My natural bent from birth is to do nothing but sin - do corruption. However when I become a believer in Jesus Christ - it is because the Spirit of God was doing a work of grace. As He so touched my heart, I turned to Christ in faith, and thus I evidence a changed nature - a changed "bent". Now I want to more and more everyday to wage war on sin and do the will of the Father. (please compare Ephesians 2:10).
He is a new Creature....
I am literally made a "new creature". When God creates something, He creates it out of nothing. When He made the heavens and the earth in Genesis 1:1, He did not have some pre-existent material lying around. He spoke the worlds into existence and they were so. (Psalm 33:6; John 1:1-3). When God sets His affection upon a person, He comes to them and calls them and literally creates a new nature out of "nothing". He speaks forth into the otherwise darkened, dead spirit inside of us (with no pre-existing spiritual life), and penetrates our human soul (mind, emotions, will) by bringing into it the light of His glory. (please compare 2 Corinthians 4:1-6).
As the text above states - we "become a new creature". The corruption of spiritual deadness and darkness is no more in my human spirit. My "nature" is changed into incorruption. Now my soul - where my mind, emotions and will are located , is being progressively affected by the reality in my human spirit. I am set free from having to participate in corruption. Though I will never reach the point in this life where I'll never sin again (for sinless perfection will not take place until I in Heaven with the Lord) - yet the last time I did sin, I did not have to.
Old things have passed away, and behold, all things have become (and are still becoming) new
To be a new creature in Jesus Christ points to the reality of the incorruptible life of God living in, and out and through the life of the Christian. That is why Paul writes - "old things have passed away, behold all things become new". That last verbal phrase "become new" is in a special tense in the original language. It speaks of a reality that took place in the past and still has present, ongoing results. At salvation I was made a new creature in my human spirit. In sanctification my soulish realm (mind, emotions and will) are being progressively affected to desire more and more the incorruptible life. Only at glorificiation will my body and whole being be set free from the presence of corruption.
If anyone is in Christ....
This one verse tells us about the the truth of the incorruptible life of God transforming the human nature of the Christian. It sets forth the condition: "If any anyone is in Christ". To be "in Christ" refers to being "in association with Him" or "connected to Him" by faith. When I by grace through faith believe on Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord and treasure, the Holy Spirit of God takes me and transfers me from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of the Beloved Son. (please compare Acts 26:18)
My natural bent from birth is to do nothing but sin - do corruption. However when I become a believer in Jesus Christ - it is because the Spirit of God was doing a work of grace. As He so touched my heart, I turned to Christ in faith, and thus I evidence a changed nature - a changed "bent". Now I want to more and more everyday to wage war on sin and do the will of the Father. (please compare Ephesians 2:10).
He is a new Creature....
I am literally made a "new creature". When God creates something, He creates it out of nothing. When He made the heavens and the earth in Genesis 1:1, He did not have some pre-existent material lying around. He spoke the worlds into existence and they were so. (Psalm 33:6; John 1:1-3). When God sets His affection upon a person, He comes to them and calls them and literally creates a new nature out of "nothing". He speaks forth into the otherwise darkened, dead spirit inside of us (with no pre-existing spiritual life), and penetrates our human soul (mind, emotions, will) by bringing into it the light of His glory. (please compare 2 Corinthians 4:1-6).
As the text above states - we "become a new creature". The corruption of spiritual deadness and darkness is no more in my human spirit. My "nature" is changed into incorruption. Now my soul - where my mind, emotions and will are located , is being progressively affected by the reality in my human spirit. I am set free from having to participate in corruption. Though I will never reach the point in this life where I'll never sin again (for sinless perfection will not take place until I in Heaven with the Lord) - yet the last time I did sin, I did not have to.
Old things have passed away, and behold, all things have become (and are still becoming) new
To be a new creature in Jesus Christ points to the reality of the incorruptible life of God living in, and out and through the life of the Christian. That is why Paul writes - "old things have passed away, behold all things become new". That last verbal phrase "become new" is in a special tense in the original language. It speaks of a reality that took place in the past and still has present, ongoing results. At salvation I was made a new creature in my human spirit. In sanctification my soulish realm (mind, emotions and will) are being progressively affected to desire more and more the incorruptible life. Only at glorificiation will my body and whole being be set free from the presence of corruption.
Friday, November 4, 2011
The power of incorruptible salvation
1 John 4:13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. (English Standard Version)
Yesterday I began to explore the incredible theme of "incorruption" as it relates to the biblical teaching of salvation. Many times when the gospel is presented - the themes of forgiveness, peace with God, being made right with God and adoption are stated. As right as it is to do this - I discover in the Bible that salvation not only affects my judicial standing and relational standing before God, but also my very nature is transformed. Though I still remain human in my creaturely existence, yet in Christ I am not just human. Morally and spiritually speaking I learn to think, feel and act with God since He lives inside of me. Below are a couple more thoughts on this theme of "incorruption".
Incorruption means I can be like Jesus more and more in this life
1 John 4:17 states - "By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world." With this passage we find out that as Christians, we don't have to wait until we get to heaven to be like Jesus. Rather, as we grow in grace, we can become more like Jesus (in the way He thinks, acts and feels, we can too). Everything in this universe has one thing in common - it is all subject to decay and corruption. Its all running down. Our physical bodies are this way too. However as Christians our human spirit is being renewed day by day. For the Christian, Christ should become more profound, more new and exciting by each passing day.
2. Incorruption means I am morally and spiritually being transformed
1 John 3:9 in the English Standard Version states - "No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God." A Christian at salvation is set free from the penalty of sin. As one grows in grace, they are being set free from the power of sin. When the Christian appears before the Lord in glory, they will be set free from the presence of sin.
Sin is viewed as corruption. As the life of God Himself, living in our human spirit, begins to spread throughout our soul, we are progressively becoming more like Him, and less corrupt. Over time the Christian should find themselves hating sin, and sinning less and less severely. Though we can never reach the point of sinless perfection in this life, yet as Christians we are set free from having to sin and be underneath the mastery of our hang-ups. Whenever I sin - or partake of corruption - I do so not because I have to, but because I choose to.
May every child of God reading this blog draw from the life of God indwelling them this day.
Yesterday I began to explore the incredible theme of "incorruption" as it relates to the biblical teaching of salvation. Many times when the gospel is presented - the themes of forgiveness, peace with God, being made right with God and adoption are stated. As right as it is to do this - I discover in the Bible that salvation not only affects my judicial standing and relational standing before God, but also my very nature is transformed. Though I still remain human in my creaturely existence, yet in Christ I am not just human. Morally and spiritually speaking I learn to think, feel and act with God since He lives inside of me. Below are a couple more thoughts on this theme of "incorruption".
Incorruption means I can be like Jesus more and more in this life
1 John 4:17 states - "By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world." With this passage we find out that as Christians, we don't have to wait until we get to heaven to be like Jesus. Rather, as we grow in grace, we can become more like Jesus (in the way He thinks, acts and feels, we can too). Everything in this universe has one thing in common - it is all subject to decay and corruption. Its all running down. Our physical bodies are this way too. However as Christians our human spirit is being renewed day by day. For the Christian, Christ should become more profound, more new and exciting by each passing day.
2. Incorruption means I am morally and spiritually being transformed
1 John 3:9 in the English Standard Version states - "No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God." A Christian at salvation is set free from the penalty of sin. As one grows in grace, they are being set free from the power of sin. When the Christian appears before the Lord in glory, they will be set free from the presence of sin.
Sin is viewed as corruption. As the life of God Himself, living in our human spirit, begins to spread throughout our soul, we are progressively becoming more like Him, and less corrupt. Over time the Christian should find themselves hating sin, and sinning less and less severely. Though we can never reach the point of sinless perfection in this life, yet as Christians we are set free from having to sin and be underneath the mastery of our hang-ups. Whenever I sin - or partake of corruption - I do so not because I have to, but because I choose to.
May every child of God reading this blog draw from the life of God indwelling them this day.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Non-decaying salvation
1 Peter 1:23 "for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God."
Often in discussions about the gospel, the theme of forgiveness or being made right with God is found. Truly this theme covers most of the ground we find when describing the application of salvation that takes place at the moment of saving faith.
One theme however has gotten overlooked in describing what takes place in the human heart the moment a person, drawn by grace through faith believes on Christ. According to the Apostle Peter - we are born again not by corruptible seed, but incorruptible. Many older Christian writers from the first few centuries of the early church saw an incredible truth being developed by Peter and the biblical authors as it pertains to this theme of incorruption or "non-decay". Below I want to unfold very briefly what this aspect of Christian salvation is all about.
Incorruption refers to how God's very life affects your life
One of those ancient writers - Athanasius, a very godly man who was a champion for the Christian faith, illustrates this point with a piece of straw. A piece of straw is by its nature a flammable substance. If you bring it close to a flame - it will catch fire, i.e it is subject to corruption. However if I take that piece of straw and soak it in a fireproof substance (such as asbestos), that straw will draw into itself the asbestos, taking up into it the very nature of the asbestos. Now the straw is still frail and quite small as it was before - however its nature has been changed. It is different, taking on the characteristics of an inflammable substance.
Peter writes these words in 2 Peter 1:4 "by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust." As Christians we by faith have taken into our very spirit the very life of God Himself. He lives in our human spirit. One writer has defined a Christian as a the very life of God penetrating the human soul.
To think that God Himself, in the person of the Holy Spirit, is indwelling me and affecting me as I even write this blog - is truly exciting. If you are a true believer in Jesus Christ, He is doing the same thing. He who is without corruption, is taking us through the process of becoming less corruptible and becoming more incorruptible. Thank you Lord for a non-decaying salvation.
In tomorrow's blog we will unfold some more truths regarding this theme of incorruption.
Often in discussions about the gospel, the theme of forgiveness or being made right with God is found. Truly this theme covers most of the ground we find when describing the application of salvation that takes place at the moment of saving faith.
One theme however has gotten overlooked in describing what takes place in the human heart the moment a person, drawn by grace through faith believes on Christ. According to the Apostle Peter - we are born again not by corruptible seed, but incorruptible. Many older Christian writers from the first few centuries of the early church saw an incredible truth being developed by Peter and the biblical authors as it pertains to this theme of incorruption or "non-decay". Below I want to unfold very briefly what this aspect of Christian salvation is all about.
Incorruption refers to how God's very life affects your life
One of those ancient writers - Athanasius, a very godly man who was a champion for the Christian faith, illustrates this point with a piece of straw. A piece of straw is by its nature a flammable substance. If you bring it close to a flame - it will catch fire, i.e it is subject to corruption. However if I take that piece of straw and soak it in a fireproof substance (such as asbestos), that straw will draw into itself the asbestos, taking up into it the very nature of the asbestos. Now the straw is still frail and quite small as it was before - however its nature has been changed. It is different, taking on the characteristics of an inflammable substance.
Peter writes these words in 2 Peter 1:4 "by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust." As Christians we by faith have taken into our very spirit the very life of God Himself. He lives in our human spirit. One writer has defined a Christian as a the very life of God penetrating the human soul.
To think that God Himself, in the person of the Holy Spirit, is indwelling me and affecting me as I even write this blog - is truly exciting. If you are a true believer in Jesus Christ, He is doing the same thing. He who is without corruption, is taking us through the process of becoming less corruptible and becoming more incorruptible. Thank you Lord for a non-decaying salvation.
In tomorrow's blog we will unfold some more truths regarding this theme of incorruption.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Salvation Planned, Accomplished and Applied
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
Whenever people commonly talk about salvation, they speak of God's work of salvation in one of three ways: Salvation Planned, Salvation Accomplished and Salvation Applied. This three-fold way of describing salvation is intentional, since what is being described points to the activity of the Trinity as the source of salvation. Just as God is One God identified as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, salvation is one work that has three distinct branches.
God the Father Planned salvation from beginning to end. (Romans 11:33-36)
Christ of course, being Divine, also took upon Himself a human nature. As God He is qualified to be the Savior, and as perfect man He could die, be buried, rise from the dead and ascend to the Father's right hand. (1 Timothy 3:15-16) The Four Gospels detail the event of Christ's work of salvation, with the Acts and New Testament letters unfolding what Christ accomplished.
When we come to the application of salvation, we are of course referring to the work of God the Holy Spirit. It is He who takes what was planned by the Father and accomplished by the Son and applies it to those whom are loved by the Father and called by His grace through faith to believe on Christ. (Ephesians 1:13-14) It is at saving faith that we begin to discuss the actual application of Christ's accomplishment.
Salvation is truly from God, through God and to God. It is not three salvations but one salvation. God is not three gods but One God who is three persons. As Romans 11:36 summarizes - all things are from Him, through Him and to Him. This includes salvation - From God the Father, accomplished through God the Son and applied to the glory of God by the Holy Spirit to all who believe.
Whenever people commonly talk about salvation, they speak of God's work of salvation in one of three ways: Salvation Planned, Salvation Accomplished and Salvation Applied. This three-fold way of describing salvation is intentional, since what is being described points to the activity of the Trinity as the source of salvation. Just as God is One God identified as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, salvation is one work that has three distinct branches.
God the Father Planned salvation from beginning to end. (Romans 11:33-36)
Christ of course, being Divine, also took upon Himself a human nature. As God He is qualified to be the Savior, and as perfect man He could die, be buried, rise from the dead and ascend to the Father's right hand. (1 Timothy 3:15-16) The Four Gospels detail the event of Christ's work of salvation, with the Acts and New Testament letters unfolding what Christ accomplished.
When we come to the application of salvation, we are of course referring to the work of God the Holy Spirit. It is He who takes what was planned by the Father and accomplished by the Son and applies it to those whom are loved by the Father and called by His grace through faith to believe on Christ. (Ephesians 1:13-14) It is at saving faith that we begin to discuss the actual application of Christ's accomplishment.
Salvation is truly from God, through God and to God. It is not three salvations but one salvation. God is not three gods but One God who is three persons. As Romans 11:36 summarizes - all things are from Him, through Him and to Him. This includes salvation - From God the Father, accomplished through God the Son and applied to the glory of God by the Holy Spirit to all who believe.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
How scandal is triumphed in the cross
Romans 3:21-23 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;
Justice and Forgiveness
Justice! Forgiveness! In the realm of human experience we all are acquainted with these two concepts. Whenever a convicted felon in a court of law is sentenced to a long prison term or sentenced to death - many people will heartily agree that the person "got what he or she deserved". Justice! Likewise whenever a person who has demonstrated innocence in the face of accusation, everyone will quickly want to dispense forgiveness - since that is the appropriate thing to do for the innocent. Forgiveness!
What constitutes a scandal
Even Scripture recognizes these two categories and their proper use, and the scandal of what can take place when they are confused. Proverbs 17:26 notes - "Also, to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to strike princes for their uprightness." If such a confusion takes place - both the scripture and human reason would conclude a great injustice has occurred. When a judge does not discern the law, and lets off a clearly guilt man through a legal loophole - instantly people cry fowl! Likewise, whenever a plainly innocent man is sent to die, everyone demands a retrial - and questions the validity of the judgment. Many would say that a scandal of major proportions was done.
The Scandal of all time - A Just God wanting to forgive the guilty
According to Proverbs 17:26, to punish the innocent or to punish a clearly righteous prince is simply unfair - a gross missuse of judgment. With that being the case - how is it that God - the Holy Righteous Judge, can remain Fair and yet aquit sinners who are clearly guilty? As Paul writes above, God's indeed did have the desire to aquit, or justify, the ungodly. However as we noted in the last blog - a great dilemma would have to be overcome by God in order to accomplish His will in salvation. Either God as a Holy and Just Judge would have to abandon His Eternal Desire to forgive so as to mete out justice on the ungodly; or He would have to lay aside His Holy Just character in order to show unbridled love.
How God Alone could truly demonstrate both Justice and Forgiveness
In order to remain both Just and Forgiving, without violating His character nor unraveling the plan of salvation - the Triune God had to do five things:
1. God the Father had to be willing to Forgive before He Created anything.
2. God the Son had to willingly die on the cross, paying the price of Justice
3. God the Father had to agree to accept the Son's work as satisfaction for Justice
4. God the Holy Spirit had to agree to apply Christ's work to those whom by His grace and gifting of faith would excercise faith in Jesus Christ
5. God the Father had to be willing to accept faith alone in Christ alone as sufficient grounds for deeming the sinner guiltless and forgiven
Christ, the innocent Prince of Glory, was struck and treated as the most guilty person, in order that the most guilty who by grace would trust in Him could be deemed innocent, justified by God. (please compare 2 Corinthians 5:21) By taking the scandal of the cross as the centerpiece of the Gospel, we discover that only God could resolve what otherwise is an impossibility - namely Justice and Forgiveness co-existing at the cross as they have always in the heart of God Himself. (Please compare Psalm 85:10)
Justice and Forgiveness
Justice! Forgiveness! In the realm of human experience we all are acquainted with these two concepts. Whenever a convicted felon in a court of law is sentenced to a long prison term or sentenced to death - many people will heartily agree that the person "got what he or she deserved". Justice! Likewise whenever a person who has demonstrated innocence in the face of accusation, everyone will quickly want to dispense forgiveness - since that is the appropriate thing to do for the innocent. Forgiveness!
What constitutes a scandal
Even Scripture recognizes these two categories and their proper use, and the scandal of what can take place when they are confused. Proverbs 17:26 notes - "Also, to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to strike princes for their uprightness." If such a confusion takes place - both the scripture and human reason would conclude a great injustice has occurred. When a judge does not discern the law, and lets off a clearly guilt man through a legal loophole - instantly people cry fowl! Likewise, whenever a plainly innocent man is sent to die, everyone demands a retrial - and questions the validity of the judgment. Many would say that a scandal of major proportions was done.
The Scandal of all time - A Just God wanting to forgive the guilty
According to Proverbs 17:26, to punish the innocent or to punish a clearly righteous prince is simply unfair - a gross missuse of judgment. With that being the case - how is it that God - the Holy Righteous Judge, can remain Fair and yet aquit sinners who are clearly guilty? As Paul writes above, God's indeed did have the desire to aquit, or justify, the ungodly. However as we noted in the last blog - a great dilemma would have to be overcome by God in order to accomplish His will in salvation. Either God as a Holy and Just Judge would have to abandon His Eternal Desire to forgive so as to mete out justice on the ungodly; or He would have to lay aside His Holy Just character in order to show unbridled love.
How God Alone could truly demonstrate both Justice and Forgiveness
In order to remain both Just and Forgiving, without violating His character nor unraveling the plan of salvation - the Triune God had to do five things:
1. God the Father had to be willing to Forgive before He Created anything.
2. God the Son had to willingly die on the cross, paying the price of Justice
3. God the Father had to agree to accept the Son's work as satisfaction for Justice
4. God the Holy Spirit had to agree to apply Christ's work to those whom by His grace and gifting of faith would excercise faith in Jesus Christ
5. God the Father had to be willing to accept faith alone in Christ alone as sufficient grounds for deeming the sinner guiltless and forgiven
Christ, the innocent Prince of Glory, was struck and treated as the most guilty person, in order that the most guilty who by grace would trust in Him could be deemed innocent, justified by God. (please compare 2 Corinthians 5:21) By taking the scandal of the cross as the centerpiece of the Gospel, we discover that only God could resolve what otherwise is an impossibility - namely Justice and Forgiveness co-existing at the cross as they have always in the heart of God Himself. (Please compare Psalm 85:10)
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