March 15, 2023

Earlier this week I saw an article on Twitter that was introduced with a quote that was attributed to me. I was a tad puzzled since I didn’t remember writing that or even thinking that, but who knows, at my age, I don’t remember everything. I checked out the article and found out that it was written by someone else. I was relieved to know that I hadn’t had a complete memory lapse, but at the same time, it isn’t fair to get credit for something that you did not do. I contacted the people responsible for posting the article to let them know of the mistake and they fixed it.

Have you ever been given credit for something that you did not do? What about this? Have you ever not been given credit (or blame) for something you did? Or? Have you ever been blamed for something you didn’t do? These questions are all related to the amazing gospel doctrine of justification. Justification means to be declared righteous by God. But how can God do that? How can God be just (fair) and say that you and I are righteous when we are not righteous? The short answer is: only through Christ. But how exactly does that work?

Christ lived a perfect life for you. His life was certainly an inspiration and example to many, but it was so much more than that. Christ’s life was lived in your place. Not just for you in the sense that it benefited you, but for you in the sense that he lived in place of you the life that you were supposed to live but didn’t. He lived a perfectly righteous life in your place. Everything that he did he was supposed to do. He never failed to do exactly what he was supposed to do. At the same time, he never did anything that he was not supposed to do. Everything that he did was positive righteousness. Everything that he did not do manifested his sinlessness. His sinlessness meant that he was without blemish. He had no deficit, no debt, no sin, and therefore, no guilt. His righteousness meant that he had positive righteousness.

Christ died for you. Again, not just for you in the sense that it benefited you, but for you in the sense that he died in your place. He died not only receiving the punishment that you deserved, but he died as a perfectly innocent and perfectly righteous sacrifice in your place. Do you see it now?

When you trust in Christ alone as your Savior, he takes the blame for your sin upon himself. He gets blamed for what you did. He gets blamed for your sin and was treated like he had committed your sin. He died. He died in your place. Jesus died because he was blamed for something that he did not do. He died willingly. He died with full knowledge that he was being blamed for your sin – every single bit of it. But when you trust in Christ alone, you get credit for his death and for his life. You get credit for what you did not do. You get credit for what he did. In fact, you get credit for what he didn’t do. Christ did not sin and you get credit for his sinless life. Christ fulfilled all righteousness and you get credit for that too. Faith alone in Christ alone gives you credit for his perfectly sufficient death and his perfectly righteous life.

No, it is not fair to get credit for what you did not do. That is why we call it grace.

“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall CERTAINLY be united with him in a resurrection like his.” Romans 6.5. That really is good news!!

This doctrine of justification is the heart of the gospel and the very truth upon which the church will rise or fall. This time of year (Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday) is a great opportunity to be reminded of this, reaffirm this, proclaim this, enjoy this and celebrate it. In addition to our Good Friday Service, we will be adding a Maundy Thursday service (7p). Maundy refers to the Upper Room event where Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. I want you to have plenty of opportunity to enjoy the riches of God’s grace.

He is Risen, indeed!

Bob

Sunday’s Text; 2 Samuel 6:12-19

April 2 – Palm Sunday

April 5 – Regular Wednesday evening schedule

April 6 – Maundy Thursday Service (Gathering Space) 7p

April 7 – Good Friday Communion Service (Worship Center) 7p

April 9 – ABFs 9a, Resurrection Service 10.20a

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