Posted By: teresaq
burden of sin, guilt and shame - 05/30/09 12:24 AM
Originally Posted By: Tom
Quote:
He can take the penalty for their transgression.
Which is what? Is it death, or something else? If it's death, this is exactly what I see happening. Sin resulted in death in the person of Christ (in His humanity), thus demonstrating the truth that God had been saying all alone, the one who sins will die. We also see what that death looks like in Christ's experience; not a fire-ball from heaven burning Him up, but His heart melting like wax.
Quote:
"By pledging His own life Christ has made Himself responsible for every man and woman on the earth. He stands in the presence of God, saying, "Father, I take upon Myself the guilt of that soul. It means death to him if he is left to bear it. If he repents he shall be forgiven. My blood shall cleanse him from all sin. I gave My life for the sins of the world." {HP 42.5}
Why would it mean death if one had to bear one's own sin?
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The heaviest burden that we bear is the burden of sin. If we were left to bear this burden, it would crush us.(MH 71)
It would crush us. Christ, during this life, bears the sin of every human being, so that they are not crushed, but have the opportunity to make a decision for or against Christ.
In the second resurrection, those who have chosen to reject Christ will be left to bear their own sin (God's strange act, the outpouring of His wrath, His execution of justice), and they will be crushed. As DA 764 puts it:
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By a life of rebellion, Satan and all who unite with him place themselves so out of harmony with God that His very presence is to them a consuming fire. The glory of Him who is love will destroy them. (DA 764)
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THAT IS THE ISSUE -- CHRIST TOOK OUR PENALTY so we could partake of His righteousness.
I agree with this. The penalty for sin is death. Christ died, as the result of taking our sin upon Him.
how do we understand ellen whites statement in bold red above?
and this statement below?
Quote:
In the work of creation, Christ was with God. He was one with God, equal with Him, the brightness of His glory, the express image of His person, the representative of the Father. He alone, the Creator of man, could be his Saviour. No angel of heaven could reveal the Father to the sinner, and win him back to allegiance to God. But Christ could manifest the Father's love; for God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself. Christ could be the "day's man" between a holy God and lost humanity, one who could "lay His hand upon us both." {ST, December 15, 1914 par. 9}
None but Christ could redeem man from the curse of the law. He proposed to take upon Himself the guilt and shame of sin,--sin so offensive in the sight of God that it would necessitate separation from His Father. Christ proposed to reach to the depths of man's degradation and woe, and restore the repenting, believing soul to harmony with God. Christ, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, offered Himself as a sacrifice and substitute for the fallen sons of Adam, though in this offering all heaven was involved in infinite sacrifice. {ST, December 15, 1914 par. 10}
But the Father so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that through His smitten heart a channel might be found for the outflowing of infinite love for fallen man. Man had become so degraded by sin, his nature so perverted by evil, that it was impossible for him of himself to come into harmony with God, whose nature is purity and love. But Christ redeemed him from the condemnation of the law, and imparted divine power, and through man's cooperation, the sinner could be restored to his lost estate. {ST, December 15, 1914 par. 11}
None but Christ could redeem man from the curse of the law. He proposed to take upon Himself the guilt and shame of sin,--sin so offensive in the sight of God that it would necessitate separation from His Father. Christ proposed to reach to the depths of man's degradation and woe, and restore the repenting, believing soul to harmony with God. Christ, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, offered Himself as a sacrifice and substitute for the fallen sons of Adam, though in this offering all heaven was involved in infinite sacrifice. {ST, December 15, 1914 par. 10}
But the Father so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that through His smitten heart a channel might be found for the outflowing of infinite love for fallen man. Man had become so degraded by sin, his nature so perverted by evil, that it was impossible for him of himself to come into harmony with God, whose nature is purity and love. But Christ redeemed him from the condemnation of the law, and imparted divine power, and through man's cooperation, the sinner could be restored to his lost estate. {ST, December 15, 1914 par. 11}