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For He made Him
who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we
might become the
righteousness of God in Him.
(2 Corinthians 5:21) 

 

 


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University church of Christ

 

Assembly Times

 Sunday

   Bible Classes (9:30)

   AM Worship (10:20)

   PM Worship (6:00 pm)

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Auburn, AL 36830
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Made to be Sin
 

by Doy Moyer

Sometimes I am struck with the beauty of a passage while, at the same time, humbled by the fact that its fullness and depth is out of my reach. The passage becomes a never-ending source of thought, ideas, and encouragement.

Such is the case for me with 2 Corinthians 5:21 — “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Who can understand the depths of this? Who can explain all that this passage sums up? I cannot. Even so, I often dwell on it, seeking to know and understand more of what it says. So brief a passage packs more power than I can fathom.

Jesus knew no sin. He was never guilty of sin. One becomes guilty of sin by commission, and Jesus did not commit sin (1 Pet 2:22). Ever. He was the innocent suffering Servant, a perfect sacrifice with no blemish.

Yet he was “made to be sin.” Given that He was never guilty of sin, we should not think that Jesus, in some way, became “lawlessness” (1 John 3:4) or fell short of God’s glory (Rom 3:23). While, again, I do not fully understand what or how it all happened, I do not believe we are looking at a concept that turns Jesus into a sinner. I do not pretend to know what all happened on the cross with Jesus. Yet here are some additional thoughts that might shed some light:

“By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh” (Rom 8:3). Jesus became sin in that He took on the likeness of sinful flesh and, through His life and sacrifice, condemned sin.

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.” (Gal 3:13-14)

In the context of one who is cursed by hanging on a tree, Deuteronomy 21:22 says, “if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree…”

Jesus did not commit any crime punishable by death, yet He still hung on the cross as if He had. The curse here is death, and certainly by looking at Jesus on the cross, any would esteem Him “stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted” (Isa 53:4). One would see the effects of sin in Jesus hanging on the cross, particularly as His body went limp and He breathed His last.

Ultimately, though, I believe that the phrase (to be sin) means He became our sin sacrifice, an offering made on our behalf in order to display God’s righteousness in bringing about His promises and to provide forgiveness for us that we may be righteous. I find this passage interesting in this light:

In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. (Psa 40:6)

Note the phrase, “…sin offering you have not required.” The term here for “sin offering” is the term for an offense, for sin, and is so used in other passages (e.g., Ex 32:21, 30-31; Psa 32:1). Here, “sin” stands for an offering for sin. I believe that is the essence of what 2 Corinthians 5:21 teaches us. Christ is our offering for sin. This agrees with what Peter wrote: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed” (1 Pet 2:24).

Yet, what do I really know? As I reflect upon the death and resurrection of Jesus, I find that I know little to nothing, for this is not a plan that I would have ever dreamed up. It is not a display of my wisdom, power, or righteousness. Yet it displays God’s in ways that we can hardly grasp.

Praise God for His wisdom, power, and righteousness. “But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:23-24).

The point, though, of 2 Corinthians 5:21 is not to be a source of theological dispute over matters that we can hardly understand. Rather, it is meant to be an encouragement for being reconciled to God. Verse 20 is an appeal by the apostle, “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” Then, 6:1 is an appeal not to receive God’s grace in vain. While containing some deep theology, the message is meant to be practical. We may never fully understand the depths of what happened on the cross, but what we do know should be sufficient enough to evoke a response of submission to God’s will. Jesus died for us. What will we do now?

 

  

Other Articles by Doy Moyer

Doctrine and Teaching
A Test of Fellowship
Is It Wise and Good to Begin Drinking Alcohol?
Jesus Emptied Himself: A Basic Approach
"As Long as It Does not Harm Anyone"
Pathetic Dust or a Living Hope
You May be Surprised to Learn

Moralizing Over the Gospel
Alcohol and Wisdom
Brotherly Love
The Logic of Authority

Was Jesus Literally Forsaken?
Baptism and the Blood
The Problem With Creeds

 

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The Christian and Money

Sunday Morning College Bible Class by Larry Rouse
Sunday Mornings at 9:30
Download the current outlines:

Lesson 1 - Money and the Revealing of Our Hearts
Lesson 2 - Earning Money
Lesson 3 - Spending Money and Debt
Lesson 4 - Money and the Family

Lesson 5 - Money and the Local Church
Click Here for Audio



The Character and Attributes of God

Download the current outlines:
Lesson 1 - Diligently Seeking God
Lesson 2 - A Holy God
Lesson 3 - A Jealous God
Lesson 4- The Wrath and Longsuffering of God
Lesson 5 - The Love and Forgiveness of God
Click Here for Audio


University church of Christ

 

Assembly Times

 Sunday

   Bible Classes (9:30)

   AM Worship (10:20)

   PM Worship (6:00 pm)

 Wednesday

   Bible Classes
(7:00 PM)

 

Location

449 North Gay Street

Auburn, AL 36830

Click Here for Specific Directions


 

 



 


 

Overcoming the Present Apostasy

Sermon Series by Larry Rouse

Piscataway, NJ Nov 20-22, 2009

 

 

Friday Night 7:30

Lesson1 - How Do We View the Bible?

Outline
PowerPoint
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Saturday Night 7:30

Lesson 2 - How do we View the World?

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Sunday Morning 9:15
Lesson 3 - How do we View God's Order for Leadership?

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PowerPoint
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Sunday Morning 10:00
Lesson 4 - How Do We View the Local Church?

Outline
PowerPoint
Audio

Sunday Morning 11:00
Lesson 5 - How Do We View God's Instruction on Fellowship

Outline
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For Additional Information, Audio and Outlines Click Here

 


Recent Bulletins:

The Auburn Beacon - Dec 26, 2010 Edition

The Auburn Beacon - Dec 19, 2010 Edition

The Auburn Beacon - Dec 12, 2010 Edition

The Auburn Beacon - Dec 5, 2010 Edition

The Auburn Beacon - Nov 28, 2010 Edition


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