Debt Paid?

 

The Bible doesn't teach anywhere that Jesus' died on the cross to pay anyone's sin debt.

 

Why did Jesus die on the cross?

 

Firstly, Jesus died on the cross in order to establish the New Covenant (Heb 9:16-17) that our conscience may be purged of dead works (Heb 9:14) in that all our works/doings be made alive through the Spirit (2Cor 3:6). Secondly, Jesus died physically that He be resurrected from the dead thus delivering His people from the fear of death (Heb 2:15).

 

Thirdly, and most importantly as it pertains to this April 7th 2023 article, is that Jesus died as an EXAMPLE to be followed.

 

The Apostle Peter taught that Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow his steps (1Pe 2:21). The example being "doing no sin,'' having "no guile" (1Pe 2:22), not seeking revenge (1Pe 2:23) and entrusting ourselves to God (1Pe 2:23). In other words, ''that we should live unto righteousness'' (1Pe 2:24).

 

Jesus ''bearing of our sin'' (1Pe 2:24) is figurative in the sense of our past life of wickedness dies with Jesus (in repentance). This is why the Apostle Paul would write...

 

Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

 

Our ''old man'' is the ''old us,'' so to speak, the unrepentant sinner walking apart from a righteous life (ie. living an immoral selfish life).

 

Just like the Apostle Peter, the Apostle Paul NOWHERE taught that Jesus paid anyone's sin debt. God FORGIVES the sins of those whom truly repent, those whom both confess and forsake (Pro 28:13, Luke 15:18-21, Act 3:19) their sinful lives. No debt payment required. A debt forgiven and a debt paid for are two completely different concepts. God is willing to forgive the debt of those whom forsake their wickedness', those whom turn to FOLLOW the EXAMPLE of Jesus.

 

Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mat 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

 

Even Jesus Himself associated His very death with that of being an EXAMPLE which was to be FOLLOWED wherein one would lose their old life...

 

Joh 12:23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

Joh 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

Joh 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

Joh 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

 

The concept that Jesus died to pay people's sin debt is an elaborate redressing of Satan's very first lie, that one can sin and not surely die (Gen 3:4). If one believes that their sin debt is already paid for then logically that debt cannot be held due a second time and thus all accountability for ongoing sin and rebellion is thrown right out the window.

 

This one false doctrine is one of the reasons that so many church congregations are worldly and full of sin. Nice friendly people perhaps, but rebellious worldly sinners nonetheless. They never ESCAPED the corruption that is in the world through lust (2Pe 1:4) having NEVER died to sin (Rom 6:7), therefore never suffering WITH Christ and therefore NEVER ''ceasing from sin'' (1Pet 4:1), thus NEVER no longer living the rest of their time in the flesh to the lusts of men (1Pe 4:2). The sin NEVER stopped (2Pe 2:14) and isn't that exactly what we see today in the lives of most professing Christians? 

 

It's both sad and tragic.

 

Is it any wonder Jesus would warn people that in the future He would reject MANY whom profess His name as ''workers of iniquity''?

 

Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

 

A ''worker of iniquity'' is the very opposite of being found IN Him (ie. abiding/walking in the Spirit - Rom 8:2) without spot and blameless.

 

2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

2Pe 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

 

Therefore let us all abide and walk in love, the love of God, wherein as He is (God's character), so are we in this world.

 

1Jn 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

1Jn 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

 

Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.