October 29
Lam 1:1-2:22 | PS 101:1-8 | Prov 26:20 | Phil 1:1-25
Every month I balance my checkbook. I have done this throughout my married life. It is a simple chore of making sure that every debt I have generated has been paid for with what I have credited to my account from my earnings. This accounting principle is what our salvation is all about. Throughout our past life and moving forward we have acquired debt in the form of sin. Every time we sin, God being a just God, can not overlook these sins. Every single one: past, present and future, must be accounted for and a credit must be applied to balance the debt. We know that sin requires the payment of blood throughout Scripture (Leviticus 17:11), and God does not change or make allowances. Three doctrinal terms are important to understand in order for those of us in Christ to appreciate our current position. Imputation is based upon justification, which can only come about through propitiation. When Jesus said on the cross in John 19:30, "It is finished!" this is an accounting term meaning "Paid in full". This is propitiation. Jesus declared on His death that the sins of all mankind were absorbed by Him and that all of the payment required for the debt of sin had been satisfied by that one act. So, the righteousness which belongs to Christ has been imparted (imputation) to our accounts, so that we are now declared righteous (justification), in God's eyes, purely by the actions of our Savior and our acceptance and reliance on this gift. As we read in 2 Corinthians 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." So, when we who are in Christ, one day physically die, we will come before the judgement seat. It doesn't matter how many sins and accusations are brought up by our accuser, Satan. For all of these sins have already been paid in full. We come before God not in our own righteousness but clothed in the righteousness of our Savior Jesus Christ. As a result of these sins being covered, our verdict is "Not Guilty", and we receive eternity in Paradise.
In this very short letter titled, Philemon, this doctrinal principle is well illustrated. Onesimus was a runaway slave who encountered Christ through Paul, while in Rome. The owner of Onesimus was Philemon, who had also come to a relationship in Jesus Christ through the teaching of Paul. Paul was now sending back the runaway slave to his slave owner. We read in Philemon 1:17-18, "If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account." There it is, simple accounting. The punishment for a runaway slave could be anything the owner desired including the death of the slave. Onesimus, just like us, was 100% guilty as charged. Like us, there was absolutely nothing he could offer in exchange for his crime. But like us, who are in Christ, Paul said to add it to his account. Likewise, every time we sin, it has already been paid for and added to the account of Jesus. When Paul said, "Receive him as you would me", he was in essence saying, "I will stand in his place."
Some of these terms might seem tedious to you, but they are essential to understand our current freedom in Christ. Whenever we allow condemnation and guilt to consume us, we have forgotten this simple accounting principle. Jesus' payment is once and done. He is not deciding which sins He will cover and which ones He will not. He paid for them all. But we so easily forget this as we allow ourselves to focus on our sins rather than Jesus, who is our payment. Though we are inadequate, He is more than adequate. Does Jesus understand our plight? Yes, as we read in Hebrews 4:15, "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." Does He ever stop watching over us? No, as we read in Hebrews 7:25, "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." We have nothing to fear if we are in Christ. We already been declared righteous by Christ's actions on our behalf. As a result we are both the most forgiven in humanity and should be the most forgiving to others.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: