Soteriology 101: Understanding the Works of Christ (Part 3)

Introduction

In our last session, we explored the concept of righteousness, highlighting that God’s righteousness is twofold: it displays both His justice and His love. We focused on the justice aspect of God’s righteousness and concluded that death is the punishment for sin, understanding why this consequence was chosen by God.

In this part of this series, we turn our attention to the second aspect of God’s righteousness: His love and mercy. It is through this love and mercy that the concept of Christ’s substitutionary atonement comes to life. This is where the justice of God meets His deep desire to save humanity, and it is the cornerstone of our study today.

What is Atonement?

The word “atonement” appears throughout Scripture, particularly in the Old Testament, and it refers to the cleansing or making right of something that has been corrupted. In the Old Testament, God required atonement for sin through the sacrifice of animals on the altar (Leviticus 17:11). This was God’s provision for temporarily covering the people’s sins, though it was not a permanent solution. The blood of animals could only remove sin temporarily, as it had no power to fully stop sin or provide lasting reconciliation between humanity and God (Hebrews 10:1-4).

This temporary system pointed toward the need for a greater, lasting atonement—one that would not need to be repeated. God’s ultimate plan to resolve the issue of sin once and for all was through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus’ atoning work would not merely cover sin but cleanse it entirely, providing eternal redemption for humanity.

Substitutionary Atonement

Substitutionary atonement refers to the work Christ accomplished through both His life and death to secure our salvation. While the event of the cross is central, we must remember that Christ’s entire life was a part of His atoning work. Throughout His life, Christ lived in perfect obedience to God’s law, which was essential for His substitutionary work on the cross. His life of righteousness is as vital as His sacrificial death because it provides us with saving benefits beyond forgiveness—it provides us with righteousness.

As theologian Daniel Treier has pointed out, Christ’s life, death, burial, and resurrection provide deliverance from sin, death, and the devil. The cross, however, is the pivotal event that brings about this once-for-all renewal. At the cross, Christ took our place, receiving the punishment for sin that we deserve (1 John 4:10). God’s justice demanded that sin be punished, but His love provided the solution in the form of a substitute—Jesus Christ.

One common question is why humanity, being the ones who sinned, cannot pay the price for their own sins. Why was it necessary for God to pay for our sins? And why is Christ the only one qualified to bear the punishment for the sins of the world?

1. Humanity’s Inability to Pay for Sin

God’s righteousness is not only just but also loving and merciful. Because of His love, He chose not to let all of humanity perish in their sin. However, humans are incapable of paying the penalty for their sin and making themselves right with God. No amount of human effort or sacrifice can erase sin or reconcile us to a holy God. Only a perfect, sinless sacrifice could satisfy the demands of God’s justice.

2. Christ as the Perfect Sacrifice

Only Christ, the sinless Son of God, could absorb and exhaust the divine wrath of God (Romans 3:25). His divine nature qualified Him to pay the infinite penalty of sin, while His humanity allowed Him to represent us fully (Colossians 1:15-20). The perfect unity of His divine and human nature is what made Christ the perfect substitute for mankind.

3. The Obedience of Christ

Christ’s perfect obedience to God’s law is another crucial reason He could be our atoning sacrifice. If He had not lived a life of complete obedience, He would not have been able to make us righteous before God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 tells us that God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Christ’s life of obedience not only removed our guilt but also secured our legal standing before God. His obedience earned righteousness for us, ensuring that we are not only forgiven but also justified in God’s sight (Philippians 3:9).

The Lamb of God

To make atonement for our sins, Christ had to die on the cross, shedding His blood to wash away the stain of sin. This is why He is often referred to as the “Lamb of God.” In Isaiah 53:7, John 1:29, and 1 Peter 1:18-19, we see that Jesus is depicted as a sacrificial lamb—innocent, submissive, and offered up for the sins of the world. Just as the lamb in the Old Covenant was sacrificed to atone for the people’s sins, Jesus became the final, perfect sacrifice.

In the Old Testament, the blood of animals was offered to temporarily cover sin, but this pointed forward to the need for a final sacrifice. Jesus fulfilled this role, becoming the ultimate atoning sacrifice that permanently deals with sin. His death on the cross satisfied God’s justice and provided reconciliation with God for all who believe.

Conclusion

In an incredible act of divine mercy, God chose to pardon humanity despite pronouncing death as the consequence of sin. His justice and love are beautifully harmonized in the substitutionary atonement of Christ, where the penalty for sin was paid in full by Jesus on the cross. This act of ultimate love and sacrifice reveals the depth of God’s inexhaustible love for humanity.

As we continue our study of soteriology, we will explore the profound implications of Christ’s substitutionary atonement. We will look at how it deepens our understanding of God’s character, secures our redemption, and transforms our lives by the power of divine love. The cross is not merely a symbol of suffering; it is the gateway to eternal life, where justice, love, and mercy converge in the person of Jesus Christ.