THE INVOLVEMENTS OF THE JUDGMENT OF THE CROSS

THE INVOLVEMENTS OF THE JUDGMENT OF THE CROSS

• The Judgment upon sin by Imputation

This means that Christ was reckoned as the sin.

By God He was counted as sin. 2 Cor. 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."

 

• For Sin Christ experienced the effects of penalty in his own body. 1 Peter 2:24

"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."

Peter quotes and comments on Isaiah 53:4-9 and teaches that the purpose of the death of Christ on the cross was not for physical healing but the paralysis of living in sin was dealt with and done away. (1 Peter 2:21-25). Instead of the alleviation of suffering we are called for the very purpose of suffering and from which men shrink. He left an example which men today refuse to follow. When suffering of any degree come into their experience they call upon the One to remove the experience saying He owes that to them because of Isaiah 53:5. Peter sharply disagrees with that interpretation and comments in these verses that the purpose of suffering was for an example, not an excuse for removal. Paul also agrees with tribulation being a friend for "it worketh patience, therefore rejoice in it" (Rom 5:3); And he says that in our affliction we should rejoice also for "Affliction works a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, therefore rejoice in your affliction" (2 Cor 4:17); and sorrows are our allie for "Godly sorrow worketh repentance" (2 Cor 7:10).Men in the church today shrink from the things which are their allies, friends, and for which they are to give prayers of thanksgiving instead of their removal. Instead today they ask for intercession. They do not know God very well and for what He has called them. Out of tribulation, comes patience which leads on to confidence and hope of ultimate victory. Afflictions which can be dismissed in the light of eternity as light afflictions, which are but for the moment according to the Apostle Paul who went through several beatings, are seen to be working out the weight of eternal glory. Sorrows of the soul are working toward the change of mind which means its transformation into perfect harmony with the mind of Christ Himself. All this is the outcome of knowing God. We need to cooperate with the process not demand a life of ease and comfort.  Through suffering we learn obedience as the Son left us His example (Heb 5:8). Through the process that Peter says we are called, of suffering and weakness, joy and triumph come. That is a clear vision of God. When we see God through Christ we are no longer bound to secondary issues of this life but we gain a close relationship to the Primary and Final Cause. That is why Paul and Silas sang and said prayers of thanksgiving (kai) in prison after a severe beating (Acts 16:25). Finally at the start of 1 Peter 4 he states that since Christ went through suffering in the flesh, we are to "arm yourself also with the same purpose." See Matt 8:17 where Christ quotes this verse.

For sin Christ satisfied the judgment of God upon it. Romans 8:3

"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:"

This was full satisfaction. An infinite penalty was paid by an infinite life in a moment of time. This will never need to be repeated.

• The Judgment upon the Saints by Identification

God counts all saints to have died in Christ. 2 Cor. 5:14

"For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead."

The saints claim Christ's crucifixion for their own. Gal. 2:20

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

 The Spirit baptizes believers into the death of Christ. Rom. 6:3, 5

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?"

"For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection."

• The Judgment upon sinners by Implication

The cross was the judgment upon the world of sinners by implication. John 12:31

"Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out."

It was the sin of the world that produced the Cross. By implication this points to ultimate infliction of judgment at the great white throne.

The cross was the judgment of the prince of this world also. John 16:11

"Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."

Satan initiated the cross by his sin. His rejection of the cross seals his own doom. The execution of the penalty only waits for the proper time.