This last Sunday was Palm Sunday and began “Holy Week” in the Christian church around the world. Pastor Herk gave a sermon message on the eternal atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ in God’s Plan of Salvation from the eternal judgment of Sin unto eternal damnation in Hell. These are important words to understand correctly due to their consequential ramifications. You must know and understand what you have been saved from before you can know, understand and accept what you what you are saved to.
Romans 3:10-12, 21-26 - As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside;
They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.” But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
First is the serious issue of the Sin problem, but biblically speaking, what exactly is Sin? The 1828 Webster’s dictionary defines “Sin” as: The voluntary departure of a moral agent from a known rule of rectitude or duty, prescribed by God; any voluntary transgression of the divine law, or violation of a divine command; a wicked act; iniquity. Sin is either a positive act in which a known divine law is violated, or it is the voluntary neglect to obey a positive divine command, or a rule of duty clearly implied in such command. Sin comprehends not action only, but neglect of known duty, all evil thoughts purposes, words and desires, whatever is contrary to God's commands or law. Sinner neither enjoy the pleasures of nor the peace of piety. Among divines, sin is original or actual. Actual sin, above defined, is the act of a moral agent in violating a known rule of duty. Original sin, as generally understood, is native depravity of heart to the divine will, that corruption of nature of deterioration of the moral character of man, which is supposed to be the effect of Adam's apostasy; and which manifests itself in moral agents by positive act of disobedience to the divine will, or by the voluntary neglect to comply with the express commands of God, which require that we should love God with all the heart and soul and strength and mind, and our neighbor as ourselves. This native depravity or alienation of affections from God and his law, is supposed to be what the apostle calls the carnal mind or mindedness, which is enmity against God, and is therefore denominated sin or sinfulness. Unpardonable sin, or blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, is supposed to be a malicious and obstinate rejection of Christ and the gospel plan of salvation, or a contemptuous resistance made to the influences and convictions of the Holy Spirit.
The 1828 Webster’s dictionary defines “Eternal” as: (1) in terms of eternal God - Without beginning or end of existence – infinite. (2) in terms of eternal truth – Unchangeable; existing at all times without change. (3) in terms of human life after death - Without end of existence or duration; everlasting; endless; immortal. Either in heaven or hell. That they may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 2 Timothy 2:10.
The 1828 Webster’s dictionary defines “Atonement” as: (1) Agreement; concord; reconciliation, after enmity. (2) Expiation; satisfaction or reparation made by giving an equivalent for an injury, or by doing or suffering that which is received in satisfaction for an offense or injury; with for. (3) In theology, the expiation of sin made by the obedience and personal sufferings of Christ.
The 1828 Webster’s dictionary defines “Sacrifice” as: An offering made to God by killing and burning some animal upon an altar, as an acknowledgment of his power and providence, or to make atonement for sin, appease his wrath or conciliate his favor, or to express thankfulness for his benefits. Sacrifices have been common to most nations, and have been offered to false gods, as well as by the Israelites to Jehovah. A sacrifice differs from an oblation; the latter being an offering of a thing entire or without change, as tithes or first fruits; whereas sacrifice implies a destruction or killing, as of a beast. Sacrifices are expiatory, impetratory, and eucharistical; that is, atoning for sin, seeking favor, or expressing thanks.
Pastor Herk explained that in the Old Testament of Scripture, you read where the people of God experienced a temporary forgiveness of Sin by the sacrificial blood of an animal without blemish annually by the priests for the Sins of the people. But the sacrifice that Jesus the Christ (the Lamb of God without blemish) sent by God the Father to leave Heaven and offer Himself on a Cross was an atoning sacrifice that was effective throughout all of eternity to those you repent of sin, accept the free gift and are converted (transformed by the Holy Spirit). That is the sacrifice that is eternal. Easter is no April Fool's Day; it's Salvation through Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:20-21 “So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us; we [as Christ’s representatives] plead with you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God. He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].”
Let's continue Pastor Herk's message on Christ's eternal atoning sacrifice in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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