The Cross and Salvation (2)

Matthew 26:26-30; Romans 5:1-11; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26;

Romans 3:21-26; Jeremiah 31:31-34

Introduction

Have looked at four great words describing achievements at Cross – Sacrifice, once for all; Propitiation, God’s wrath averted; Ransom, price to set free those whose lives are forfeit; Finished work, job done, debt paid. Receive salvation at once.

Now four great words describing blessings of Salvation. Justification – the scene is the Law court; Redemption – the scene is the slave market; Reconciliation – in the family circle; Covenant – as at the marriage ceremony. Wonderful blessings God brings us into through the Cross of Christ. Reminder that first Good Friday was the best day that ever happened in history of the human race.

Justification – the Law Court

Being justified by faith we have peace with God (Romans 5:1). In Belfast, on walls and buildings, there are more texts and religious statements than any other town in Britain. One I have seen frequently – “Get right with God” – this is the meaning of justification. Presumes that we are in the wrong with God.

Man is prisoner in dock of law court. Tried by perfect law of God – 10 commandments of Old Testament or two great commandments of New Testament, perfectly kept in deed, word and thought, every minute of every day of every week of every year – God expects perfection. How do we plead? Guilty or not guilty? God finds us guilty – and the wages of sin is death, not just physical but eternal consequences. We are in helpless and hopeless predicament. Cannot do anything to save selves or save anyone else.

Only hope is God – the very last place we would expect to go, since it is His law we have broken. He made it possible for us to be justified – for us guilty, helpless people to be in the right. He pronounces and declares and treats us as righteous. Thomas Chalmers wrote, “What could I do if God did not justify the ungodly?”

Heart of justification is that transfer has taken place. Sins are transferred to Christ. God has sentenced us, but in the person of the Son. So sins are forgiven. Another aspect, Christ’s righteousness in transferred to us. Put to our account. God sees us not as we are, but in Christ, “clothed in righteousness divine”. Not only pardoned criminals but treated as righteous before his law. Not liable to sentence of death. Entitled to all blessings of righteous man. The prodigal son – not just have his rags removed, but had new robe put on.

Justification means this miracle – Christ takes our place and we take His. Martin Luther writing to monk worried about sin, “Say to the Lord Jesus ‘you took what was mine, and you set on me what was yours’.” Justification – new position in Christ – “just as if I’d never sinned”. No condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Done and completed once for all.

Foundation of peace with God, assurance, accusation of guilty conscience. Here is good news for those trying to win acceptance with God and salvation by own efforts. Luther described justification as “the principle article of all Christian doctrine, the test of whether a church is preaching truth or not”. Acceptance with God is not result of toiling up a steep hill and all the time never sure we will reach the top. But immediate and free gift.

So all are saved? Justification is by faith. Trust self to Christ. Abandon all efforts and lean on Christ alone. Source of all peace and rejoicing.

“His name the sinner hears and is from sin set free.

‘Tis music in his ears, ‘tis life and victory.

New songs do now his tongue employ

And filleth his glad heart with joy”

Billy Bray, Cornish tin miner. In the Parish Church during 1859 Revival. Text was Romans 5:1. The vicar had to preach it, but did not understand it. Suddenly realized truth. Face shown he realized the truth. Hallelujah, the Parson’s converted! Jig around vicarage table.

Redemption – The Slave Market

Previous sermon explained importance of “ransom”. antilutron. lutrow. Prison cell or slave market. Sentence of death or slave in bondage. Set free because price is paid. The price was the blood of Christ, i.e. His life poured out in death for our sins. Redeemed with the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18,19). Held prisoner by guilt and indwelling sin. But redeemed from curse of law. Things holding us down are now broken and we are liberated.

So live as we like now? Bought that we might belong. Not redeemed to please selves, but to be His purchased possession. Not your own… bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19). Belong body and soul to Him who died for us.

Fred Mitchell, chemist in Bradford. Many Bible texts in home. Loved the one that simply said “Redeemed”. Rejoiced in it, because he and wife and all family were believers. Had this text over the fireplace in living room. Emphasized that not only he was saved, but his whole house belonged to God. Also halfway up the stairs had the little verse “Every window, every nook, every picture, every book” – reminder that whole house was consecrated to God. He also put “Redeemed” in his chemist shop underneath the clock. Puzzled customers wanted to know if this meant the clock had been redeemed from the pawn-brokers. Led to clear testimony by the chemist.

Reconciliation – the Family Circle

All aware of problems in family circle. May not have been to law court or slave market, but all have lived in family and know the problems. Disagreement, misunderstandings, cross words, gloom, misery, who is going to make first move? Then, when whole thing is put right, joy and release ensue.

“Reconciliation” between God and Man. Presupposes breakdown in relationship, estrangement, enmity, distance, gulf between God and Man. God in His great grace makes first move to put things right. All right is on His side. All wrong is on our side. But in matchless grace He makes the first move. He was the wronged one, but His is the initiative. God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. Reconciliation is through Christ’s death. Made Christ to be sin with our sin, therefore does not impute trespasses to us. Forgiveness and reconciliation are possible. Justice has been done. Sin has been dealt with. Now it is possible for God to forgive us righteously. He has removed the barrier from His side.

God has always loved us, but not always been reconciled to us. Now He can accept and bless us. Plea then that men will in their turn be reconciled. Put away rejection and come back to God. We implore you on Christ’s behalf – Be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20). Barrier has been removed by God on His side. Now remove barrier from ours, in responding to the Gospel. Grasp His outstretched hand. Will you not take it?

Story of a mother whose daughter had gone completely off the rails, moved to the city, sank to utter degradation, and had not heard from her for 10 years. Then the girl returned home, broken and ruined. Returned at dead of night, and as she came up dark lane, saw light burning in the window. She put her hand on the latch, and found the door was not locked. She heard the words, “Is that you, Janet?” for her mother had been waiting 10 years. “What is your light burning for in the middle of the night? Are you ill?” “That light has never been put out for one night since you left, and the door has never been locked.”

Because Christ has died for you, the light has never been put out and the door never locked. We must take next step. Be reconciled, and return home.

Covenant – Wedding Ceremony

Compact and agreement between two parties. Solemn pledges binding each to the other. In the case of wedding ceremonies or international agreement, the compact is between those who are more or less equals. But in case of Bible Covenant, the parties are not equal. God is the one who initiated covenant and His grace alone has made it possible through the death of His Son. Blood of New Covenant has brought us into circle of God’s love and favour.

At the new birth, laws put into mind and written on heart. New relationship when God is our God and we are His people. New experience, all to know the Lord. Based on new gift – sins and iniquities to be remembered no more (Jeremiah 31:31-34). What a comfort in adversity. To be part of eternal covenant. Based on copper-bottomed guarantees. Assurance in prayer. Security in face of death and state beyond death.

“One in him- in him forever,

So the eternal covenant stands”

Ever think of the Christian as being in a covenant with God? Around the Lord’s Table we quote “This cup is the new covenant in my blood” – have we considered what this means? This covenant made on Calvary with such blessings. This wonderful Bible Covenant promises so much.

Conclusion

Blessings of Christ’s atoning death. Based on Sacrifice and finished work. Get right with God. Enjoy the comforting assurance that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Set free and liberated.

Glorious liberty of the children of God. But not free to live as we like, but to be His and His forever. Brought home and reconciled. Come in out of the cold. Part of Father’s family. Held in His embrace. New relationship with God which will outlast time, and is ours throughout eternity.

How crucial and vital and central is Cross of Christ in our dealings with God. Equally should be central in our thinking and preaching and witnessing. Nothing like the Cross for speaking to conscience and revealing loving heart of God towards us.

First Moravian missionary to Greenland – fruitless toil for first 20 years, as he preached about God and His existence and His attributes. Then suddenly everything changed when new note was struck. He started to speak of the Cross. Immediately hearts were warmed and the people saw Christ.

It brings us to the great issue of faith and unbelief. Sets before us real issues – life or death, weal or woe, salvation or perdition, heaven or hell. God has spoken His last word to us. Nothing more to give us for us to be saved. Revelation and Redemption are complete. Here is really good news. Means immeasurable joy to those who welcome it. Irreparable loss to those who refuse and reject. We preach Christ crucified – a stumbling block to Jews (self righteous) and foolishness to Gentiles (worldly wise), but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:23).

This message is not always understood in theological classrooms, but in the mission halls, street corners and lonely rooms. Not need to be intellectual genius. The only qualification is despair. The Gospel is for men whose mouths have been stopped and who stand condemned before God.