There are many declarations being
published abroad today which masquerade as the gospel. Yet
there is but one clear message which comprises the summation
of the true gospel. If this message is added to or
in any wise neglected, then the proclamation which is made falls
short of truth, regardless of the skill with which it might
be delivered or the qualifications of the man doing the preaching
of it. Paul sums up this gospel and its vital ingredients here
in 2 Corinthians 5.21. For he hath made him to be sin
for us who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness
of God in him. If we were to condense the whole
basis of the gospel into just one word, it would be imputation,
which is described in this verse. The word impute means to apply
to, as when an accountant assigns a debit or credit to a particular
account. The gospel cannot be preached
apart from declaring that Christ has taken to his account the
sins of his elect and has applied his righteousness to theirs.
He who had no sin of his own became a sinner, that he might
in turn make those who had no righteousness of their own completely
just before the law in the sight of God. Sinners were made sinless
by the imputation of his righteousness as he became accursed in bearing
their sin. There could be no such thing
as justification before the law if there was not one who could
be the justifier. The holy law has no power to
mitigate sin, only to punish it. But the law does have provision
in it for making atonement for sin. But both the offering and
the offerer must be completely pure, or else neither can come
into the presence of the Lord. Christ Jesus has come into the
world to fulfill the holy law of God and to offer himself as
a sacrifice for the sin of that people which he loved from before
the foundation of the world. He did so by becoming sin for
them. He was completely untainted by
sin in his own character, being of such purity as to not even
look upon sin. Yet it pleased him to become
a sinner in the sight of the law, judged and punished by that
law with its supreme penalty. The wages of sin is death. He
could and did bear the full measure of the sin of those he came to
save, since he had no sin of his own. If the law is satisfied,
then it has no grounds upon which to demand retribution to those
for whom it is satisfied. Thus we read that Christ is the
justifier in accordance to that law which he has fulfilled in
its jot and tittle. In order for a man to enter into
his presence, he must not only be justified according to the
law, but he must stand in perfect righteousness. The only righteousness
which is acceptable in the courts of heaven is that of him who
is worthy to open the sealed book. Thus the gospel declares
that he has not only imputed the sin of his elect unto himself,
but he has imputed his righteousness unto them. He has made unto his
people wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. The present time is the day of
salvation, which is appointed by the ruler of days and now
delivered to the sons of men. There is no other to come. Behold,
now is the day when the mystery of God's kingdom is unfolded
to the earth, and Jesus Christ is declared as the Savior of
sinners and the deliverer of those who have sat in bondage,
impotence, and fear. This day is a glorious day, because
now the gospel declares the glory of Him who is appointed not only
to suffer in His people's behalf, but to rule in righteousness
and peace forever. This day is a momentous and welcome
day, for He is the salvation so long awaited by those who
sat in darkness and the shadow of death. This day is an endless
day, because that redemption which is brought about by the
work of Christ is an eternal redemption. This day is a final
day, for there is no one who can change nor diminish that
finished work which Christ has performed. What shall we say
to these things? If God be for us, who can be
against us? This day is the Sabbath day,
for it is a day of rest to the people of God. The sons of God
do rest from their labors, and rest in Him who has done all
things well. For if Jesus had given them rest,
then would He not afterward have spoken of another day? There
remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that
is entered into His rest, he also has ceased from his own
works, as God did from His. If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at 4the4 at windstream dot net.