In the article "Made a Surety," Don Fortner elaborates on the theological concept of Christ as the Surety of a better covenant, as specified in Hebrews 7:22. Fortner argues that Jesus is not merely a guarantor but rather takes full responsibility for humanity’s sin debt through His voluntary acceptance as our Surety, affirmed by God's covenantal oath in verse 21. The presentation of biblical references, such as 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Isaiah 53:6, illustrates how Christ bore our sins, thus fulfilling the law's demands. This understanding is significant within Reformed theology as it underscores the doctrines of imputation, election, and the finality of Christ's redemptive work, evidencing that believers are justified and released from their obligations before God purely on the basis of Christ's sacrifice.
Key Quotes
“He was made our Surety by the oath of God himself... who accepted him for us and accepted us in him.”
“But Christ voluntarily cheerfully placed himself in servitude to God's law and will as the Surety of his own elect.”
“As soon as he was accepted as our Surety, we were released from all of our debts and obligations to God's holy law.”
“The blood of Christ our Surety... held back the hand of God's judgment when Adam sinned.”
By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. - Hebrews 7:22“Made A Surety”
How did the Lord Jesus Christ become our Surety? The Holy Spirit tells us, “By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.” He was made our Surety by the oath of God himself (v. 21), by the eternal decree of the Almighty, who accepted him for us and accepted us in him.
An Absolute Surety
With men a Surety is a mere guarantor, a co-signer who is jointly responsible with the principle debtor for the payment of a debt. Not so with Christ! Our Lord Jesus Christ did not merely agree to meet our obligations to God’s law if we, by some circumstance or condition, became incapable of meeting our own obligations. Our blessed Savior, as our Surety, took the whole of our obligation before the law of God upon himself.
A Voluntary Surety
With men a surety may be legally forced into suretyship. A man is legally responsible for the debts of his wife. A father is legally responsible for the debts and legal liabilities of his minor children. But Christ voluntarily, cheerfully placed himself in servitude to God’s law and will as the Surety of his own elect. From the instant he became Surety for his people, he became servant to his Father (Isa. 42:1; 49:3; John 10:17-18). The Lord Jesus Christ is an absolute Surety by voluntary consent.
Transferred Responsibility
When he became our Surety, Christ took the whole of our debt upon himself. He became responsible for our obligations. As soon as he was accepted as our Surety, we were released from all of our debts and obligations to God’s holy law. As soon as God accepted his Son as our Surety, he set us free. He ceased looking to us for satisfaction. He freed us from all bondage, all curse, all penalty, and all obligation; and looked to his Son for satisfaction of our debts (Job 33:24; Phile. 1:18). When Christ became Surety for us, our sins were imputed to him. By divine imputation, our sins were placed to his account. He became responsible for them. Christ was made to be sin for us when he hung upon the cursed tree. But he became responsible and accountable for sin when he became our Surety (2 Cor. 5:21; Isa. 53:6; Ps. 40:12; 69:5).
The Result
When Christ became our Surety, we were then and there redeemed, justified, pardoned, and made righteous in the sight of God (Rom. 8:28-30; Eph. 1:3-6; 2 Tim. 1:9-10). God’s forbearance, patience, and long-suffering with this world are due to the suretyship engagements of Christ. God’s eye has always been on the blood. It is the blood of Christ our Surety that held back the hand of God’s judgment when Adam sinned. The Old Testament saints were pardoned, justified, and forgiven upon the basis of Christ’s obedience as our Surety, though he had not yet actually rendered that obedience (Isa. 43:25; 45:24-25; Heb. 11:13-16). Those saints of old, like believers today, had knowledge of and faith in Christ as their Surety (Job 19:25-27; Ps. 32:1-4; 119:122; Isa. 38:14).
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