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GETTING CREDIT FOR SOMETHING WE DID NOT DO |
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Last week, we looked briefly at
what is known as "the imputation of Adam's sin". The imputation of Adam's sin to us – that
is, the crediting to us with Adam's sin – is the reason the following four
things are true and beyond dispute: (1) all people are born sinners separated
from God, (2) each person has an inclination toward sin in thought and deed
(we have a fallen nature), (3) each person is guilty of sin before God, and
therefore (4) all people, without exception, need redemption in Christ. Some people think God is unfair
to give us credit for the sin of another (Adam). After all, we did not commit the sin in question; it was not we
who ate the forbidden fruit. Why then
must we suffer for Adam's mistake? The same objection could be raised (although
it never is) about the method of our salvation in Christ. In salvation, God imputes to us – that is,
He gives us credit for – the righteousness of Christ. Christ obeyed God perfectly, and He
suffered for the sins we committed.
We did not obey God, and we will not pay the price of our own
sin. Christ suffered in obedience,
and we reap the benefits. Luther
called this "the great exchange" – He takes our sin, and we receive
His righteousness. Christ is able to
do this because He is the Head of the New Creation, just as Adam was the Head
of the Old. To be "in Christ" is to have Christ – rather than Adam
- as our representative. It is strange
that the people who complain about the imputation of Adam's sin are silent
when it comes to the imputation of Christ's righteousness. Because all people are sinners,
it was necessary that Christ – who is sinless - take our place in obedience
and suffering. Because there is no
forgiveness without the shedding of blood, it was necessary that Christ shed
His blood in order for us to be
forgiven. If we are to
be saved, it is necessary that we get credit for something that we did not do
– we must receive the righteousness of Christ – a righteousness that we did not earn and do not deserve. Lev
17:11; Mk 10:45; Lk 24:26; Rom 3:9-18, 4:23-25, 5:12-21; 1 Cor 15:22; 2 Cor
5:17-21; Php 3:7-9; Heb 4:15, 7:27, 9:12-28; 1 Pe 2:24; 1 John 1:8 |
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