When God created
man, He intended man to be Holy and
blameless before Him in love (Eph.1:4). But, God
also created man weak—in the flesh
(Matthew 26:41), hence it is susceptible and prone to sin. Man in his
sinful human nature and on his own capability cannot avoid sinning, so
man is condemned to die in the second death in the lake of fire
(Revelation 20:14).
How
could man be righteous in the sight of God so that he would be freed from the punishment
which is the second death? How could man be holy or sanctified—freed from
sin, so
he could serve the living God?
28D.1 How does
the Lord Christ
Jesus figure in God's plan for man's salvation?
In the following verses the answer is
written:
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for
us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (II
Corinthians 5:21, NKJV)
For to this you were called, because Christ
also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow
His steps: "Who committed no sin, Nor was guile
found in His mouth". (I Peter 2:21-22, NKJV)
God made "Christ who committed no sin to be sin for us".
Please note:
This is the only way in which
God's law on sinners will not be violated.
28D.2
What
is the purpose of God in making Christ (who committed no sin) to be sin on our
behalf?
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for
us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (II
Corinthians 5:21, NKJV)
So that, man (the sinner)
might become the righteousness of God in Christ.
28D.3
How can man (the sinner) be made righteous in the sight of God?
In Ephesians 2:10, this is written:
For we are
God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so
that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. . . (New Living Translation)
The same verse in
another version of the Bible:
For we
are his masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus for good works that
God prepared long ago to be our way of life. (International
Standard Version)
God's plan is plain and simple:
God destined man (the sinner)
to be created anew in Christ Jesus
for good works.
What is
God's purpose in creating man anew in Christ Jesus?
so that man can do
the "good works" that God prepared for him long ago to become his way
of life.
What is
the meaning
of being "created anew in Christ Jesus"?
Although all men have sinned,
God has made it
possible, through His son Jesus Christ, to be redeemed of their sins.
Thus, they become righteous anew before God. This is the meaning of
"being created in Christ Jesus".
28D.4
How will
God's plan to create man anew in Christ Jesus be
accomplished?
In Ephesians 2:15, this is recorded:
by
abolishing in his flesh the law of
commandments and ordinances, that he might
create in himself one new man in place of
the two, so making peace, (RSV)
God's plan is for Christ
to create in Himself the "One New Man"
in place of the two
in this way peace will be attained.
______________
What is God's plan for man (the sinner) so he
can be made righteous in the sight of God?
God's plan is plain and simple: God destined man (the sinner)
to be created anew in Christ Jesus for good works. Although all men have sinned,
God has made it
possible, through His son Jesus Christ, to be redeemed of their sins,
and this is by way of making Christ who
committed no sin to be sin for them.
Thus, they become righteous anew before God. This is the meaning of
"being created anew in Christ Jesus".
How will
God's plan to create man anew in Christ Jesus be
accomplished? God's plan is for Christ
to create in Himself the "One New Man"
in place of the two
in this way peace will be attained.