Christ Has Borne Our Punishment

[Paul]

Any theology which offers the pardon of sin without a punishment, ignores the major part of the character of God.

God is love, but God is also just — as severely just as if he had no love, and yet as intensely loving as if he had no justice. To gain a just view of the character of God you must perceive all his attributes as infinitely developed.

Justice must have its infinity acknowledged as much as mercy. Sin must be punished. This is the voice which thunders from the midst of the smoke and the fire of Sinai — “The soul that sins shall die;” “Cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.” “Sin must be punished” is written on the base of the eternal throne in letters of fire; and, as the damned in hell behold it, their hopes are burned to ashes. Sin must be punished, or God must cease to be.

The testimony of the Gospel is not that the punishment has been mitigated or foregone, or that justice has had a sop given it to close its mouth. The consolation is far more sure and effectual; say unto the daughter of Zion that “the punishment of her iniquity is accomplished.”

Christ has for his people borne all the punishment which they deserved; and now every soul for whom Christ died may read with exultation — “The punishment of your iniquity is accomplished.” God is satisfied, and asks no more.

Sin deserved God’s wrath; that wrath has spent itself on Christ. The black and gathering clouds had all been summoned to the tempest, and manhood stood beneath the dark canopy waiting till the clouds of vengeance should empty out their floods. “Stand aside!” said Jesus — “Stand aside, my spouse, my Church, and I will suffer in your stead.”

- Charles Spurgeon

[BHiles]

I was thinking yesterday if I knew that if I sinned a sin of commision against God that would immediately be cast into hell would I be a drastically more careful in my walk.

I concluded that while living in grace, in the main direction of my life I want to be moving towards not exhibiting the freedom of grace, but manifesting my followship of His Lordship. And in that if sin truly demands a punishment I ought to live consciously on how grievous sin is and allow the Holy Spirit greater access to my perfecting.

I ought to be living as if sin sent me to hell now and view grace as so much more precious because my sin very well should have.

Thank you Father for sending for Jesus and the plan of grace because I deserve the deepest of hell. Help me to remember in my moment by moment conscience thought the depth of grief my sin causes. I have failed you time and time again but You still loved me and forgave me. Help me to be being perfected.

[Hootmon]

Powerful stuff...

[BHiles]

Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly,(exactly, accurately, diligently) not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;