How many times have you heard something like this: "When God looks at us He only sees Christ's righteousness, not our sins"
Statements such as the one above illustrate how subtly Satan can twist scripture. The statement can be both true and false depending on the point the person is trying to make. Let's break it down.
1) If the speaker is attempting to communicate that Christ's righteousness is imputed to us by the work on the cross and through faith then the statement is true. If we believe that Jesus Christ died and rose again to free us from our sins, that our sins are crucified on the cross with Christ, and we become new creatures that no longer bear the guilt and punishment or our sins, then the statement is true. Additionally, the righteousness of Christ is "imputed" to us so that we may stand in the presence of God (one day) without spot or blemish.
2) If the speaker is attempting to communicate that in God's eyes our sins no longer matter, that there is "nothing we can do to displease God" or that believers will never be convicted of sin then the statement is false and a damnable heresy. Imputed righteousness isn't just a covering of sin. We are not just the same old sinners clothed in Christ's righteousness. The old testament sacrifices covered sin but did not cleanse, this is why the Law was insufficient to save. Christ's blood cleanses us from sin, completely. We are no longer the same creatures we were before salvation, pursuing the lusts of the flesh.
This does not mean that we are perfect, or flawless, or sinless... yet. We still have the sinful nature warring within us. We still sin, and anyone who says they don't sin is a liar and the truth is not in them (1 John 1:8). However, claiming that God doesn't see our current unrepentant sin or that He doesn't care about it is a lie.
There are many still teaching antinomianism in churches these days and we must be wary. When we are saved we become new creatures with new hearts, minds and desires. We are sealed by the Holy Spirit who will keep us until the final day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 1:22; 2 Corinthians 5:5, Ephesians 1:13-14; Ephesians 4:30)
Statements such as the one above illustrate how subtly Satan can twist scripture. The statement can be both true and false depending on the point the person is trying to make. Let's break it down.
1) If the speaker is attempting to communicate that Christ's righteousness is imputed to us by the work on the cross and through faith then the statement is true. If we believe that Jesus Christ died and rose again to free us from our sins, that our sins are crucified on the cross with Christ, and we become new creatures that no longer bear the guilt and punishment or our sins, then the statement is true. Additionally, the righteousness of Christ is "imputed" to us so that we may stand in the presence of God (one day) without spot or blemish.
2) If the speaker is attempting to communicate that in God's eyes our sins no longer matter, that there is "nothing we can do to displease God" or that believers will never be convicted of sin then the statement is false and a damnable heresy. Imputed righteousness isn't just a covering of sin. We are not just the same old sinners clothed in Christ's righteousness. The old testament sacrifices covered sin but did not cleanse, this is why the Law was insufficient to save. Christ's blood cleanses us from sin, completely. We are no longer the same creatures we were before salvation, pursuing the lusts of the flesh.
This does not mean that we are perfect, or flawless, or sinless... yet. We still have the sinful nature warring within us. We still sin, and anyone who says they don't sin is a liar and the truth is not in them (1 John 1:8). However, claiming that God doesn't see our current unrepentant sin or that He doesn't care about it is a lie.
There are many still teaching antinomianism in churches these days and we must be wary. When we are saved we become new creatures with new hearts, minds and desires. We are sealed by the Holy Spirit who will keep us until the final day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 1:22; 2 Corinthians 5:5, Ephesians 1:13-14; Ephesians 4:30)
No comments:
Post a Comment