God transforms by substitution

 Today’s events remind me of a totally imperfect analogy. The Bible says concerning our redemption: “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) In other words, Jesus represents us by taking our sin on Himself and dying for it, and with that, God puts His righteousness on us that we might live.

In thinking “Who else represents us here on earth?” I came up with lawyers who might speak on our behalf and politicians who are supposed to rule representing our wishes. The first could have all sorts of reasons for defending my wishes, but if I stopped payment, all would cease. As for the second, we know the power trips made by those who soon forget what is best for the people in favor of what is best to get re-elected.

Our legal relationship with Jesus is not like anything on earth. First, God put our sin on Christ who willingly took that shame and guilt and suffered the full penalty for it. He did not earn or deserve it. His life was perfectly obedient and without sin. How could God declare Him guilty? Was it only because He willingly took that sin in an act of love rather than leave it for sinners to bear and to die? He, like a lawyer or a politician, represented humanity, but did far more than speak for criminals or look out for the best interests of His people.

As for the people He died for, all who believe experience the incredible removal of sin, yet God’s grace did not leave them a blank slate. In another sovereign declaration, He imputed or put on sinners the righteousness of Christ trading sin that Jesus never committed for His sinlessness that we never earned, deserved, or would never have, unless God had made this amazing trade we call redemption.

One of my friends said, “We get saved in an instant, then spend the rest of our lives trying to figure out what happened!” He was right. Suddenly I was a different person, the same with those old selfish and sinful desires, yet Jesus walked in — and everything changed. It was not exactly like having another person driving my car, more like a new person solving my problems, listening to my heart, giving me a life, peace, joy and attitudes never before experienced. Righteousness imputed. I didn’t do anything. He simply looked me in the face and it was a done deal.

These two things, Christ being made sin and us being made righteousness, could only be accomplished by substitution. There was no possible way for the Lord of glory to be made sin, except by imputation. And there is no way by which any man can be made righteousness, except by imputation. It is a legal matter. But also a practical one. Day by day learning from this One who is always here, always teaching, always wanting His best for me. Always learning from Him.

PRAY: And You, Jesus, are always listening for me to desire, “Not my will but Your will be done” with an honest and humble heart. It has been a rocky road in places, a lovely vista most of the time. Hopefully in it all, I decrease and You increase — until that day I see You face to face and with no more sin, when the process is complete.