Salvation is NOT Turning a Blind Eye to My Sin

UNDERSTANDING THE TIMES
Salvation is NOT Turning a Blind Eye to My Sin

by Dr. Derek Thomas

In 2 Corinthians 5:19, Paul writes that "in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them." It is not uncommon to discover that this is the kind of God in whom people delight to believe in. There is an admission of sin, or at least of failure; "to err is human" wrote Alexander Pope. But, God turns a blind eye to my sin - He does not count it against me. Forgiveness is His business.

However, that is not what Paul intends in this statement. Several considerations need to be taken into account. First, he tells us in verse 10 of this same chapter that "we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." Clearly, on the Day of Judgment God will count sin against some. Second, we need to appreciate the significance on the first two words in the text: "in Christ God was . not counting their trespasses against them." What Paul is saying here is that God does not count sins against those who are "in Christ."

Again, we need to be careful that we do not misunderstand this affirmation. Is Paul suggesting that God does not count sins against those who are "in Christ" merely because God wills not to do so? Not at all! The reason why the sins of those who are "in Christ" are immune to His judgment is because they have been counted against Christ, and judged in Him. Without the cross, there can be no immunity from the punishment that our sins deserve.

This is the heart of the gospel - the substitutionary atonement! Our sins were counted against Christ; His righteousness is counted as ours: "[God] made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Cor. 5:21). Our sins - the totality of them - were laid on Christ and received the judgment of God's wrath. Indeed, God's wrath was exhausted upon them. Jesus fully bore their punishment, drinking of the cup of God's retribution - it was not the will of the Father for the cup to pass from His Son. And in place of sin's punishment, those who are "in Christ" receive the righteousness of Christ - the perfection of Another's life of obedience counted against us. This "Great Exchange" as the Reformers called it, is the very essence of the gospel.

Behold the man upon the cross,
My sin upon His shoulders.
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished.
His dying breath has brought me life;
I know that it is finished.

[Stuart Townend]