Crucified Hearts

“For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…” 1 Timothy 2:5

“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

I’ve been spending the better part of my Sabbath today in the Book of Romans, reading, praying, and looking at commentaries for some greater light on the atonement of Christ. The Word of God is spirit and life, the Bread of Life of the soul. Only as we eat His flesh and drink His blood do we have life in ourselves. As the branch abides in the Vine, so we abide in Him and He in us as we receive His words into our hearts. Without Him I can’t do anything.

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.  Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.  And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” ~ 1 John 3.1-3 NKJV

Later this evening, after Sabbath I’ve continued reading and researching on the nature Christ’s sacrifice for our sin, of how he justifies without works (Rom. 3.21-31), but that we will do good works of love through the obedience of faith (Rom. 1.5).

Christ died as our substitute under the just penalty of God’s law, being made the propitiation of God’s wrath against our sin. In the atonement of Christ God is declared both just and the justifier of those who put their faith in Christ (Rom. 3.26). For Christ sake we are accounted righteous without any merits of good works whatsoever. Yet faith in Christ does not undermine the Law, rather, it establishes it as the standard of righteousness of the whole world. (Rom. 3.20,31). Faith tells us “the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.” (Rom. 7.12)

In my reading I came again to some favorites passages from the 19th century writer, Ellen White, on the subject of Christ’s mediation at Calvary for our sins. Not only at Calvary, but now he minsters the merits of His blood for us as our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary, “which the Lord pitched and not man”. (Hebrews 8.1-5).

I’ll offer here one of the passages that has fed my soul, again, with the Word of God through His Spirit.

“Let no one take the limited, narrow position that any of the works of man can help in the least possible way to liquidate the debt of his transgression. This is a fatal deception. If you would understand it, you must cease haggling over your pet ideas, and with humble hearts survey the atonement. This matter is so dimly comprehended that thousands upon thousands claiming to be sons of God are children of the wicked one, because they will depend on their own works. God always demanded good works, the law demands it, but because man placed himself in sin where his good works were valueless, Jesus’ righteousness alone can avail. Christ is able to save to the uttermost because He ever liveth to make intercession for us. All that man can possibly do toward his own salvation is to accept the invitation, “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17). No sin can be committed by man for which satisfaction has not been met on Calvary. Thus the cross, in earnest appeals, continually proffers to the sinner a thorough expiation.

As you near the cross of Calvary there is seen love that is without a parallel. As you by faith grasp the meaning of the sacrifice, you see yourself a sinner, condemned by a broken law. This is repentance. As you come with humble heart, you find pardon, for Christ Jesus is represented as continually standing at the altar, momentarily offering up the sacrifice for the sins of the world. He is a minister of the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man. The typical shadows of the Jewish tabernacle no longer possess any virtue. A daily and yearly typical atonement is no longer to be made, but the atoning sacrifice through a mediator is essential because of the constant commission of sin. Jesus is officiating in the presence of God, offering up His shed blood, as it had been a lamb slain. Jesus presents the oblation offered for every offense and every shortcoming of the sinner.

Christ, our Mediator, and the Holy Spirit are constantly interceding in man’s behalf, but the Spirit pleads not for us as does Christ, who presents His blood, shed from the foundation of the world; the Spirit works upon our hearts, drawing out prayers and penitence, praise and thanksgiving. The gratitude which flows from our lips is the result of the Spirit’s striking the cords of the soul in holy memories, awakening the music of the heart.

The religious services, the prayers, the praise, the penitent confession of sin ascend from true believers as incense to the heavenly sanctuary, but passing through the corrupt channels of humanity, they are so defiled that unless purified by blood, they can never be of value with God. They ascend not in spotless purity, and unless the Intercessor, who is at God’s right hand, presents and purifies all by His righteousness, it is not acceptable to God. All incense from earthly tabernacles must be moist with the cleansing drops of the blood of Christ. He holds before the Father the censer of His own merits, in which there is no taint of earthly corruption. He gathers into this censer the prayers, the praise, and the confessions of His people, and with these He puts His own spotless righteousness. Then, perfumed with the merits of Christ’s propitiation, the incense comes up before God wholly and entirely acceptable. Then gracious answers are returned.

Oh, that all may see that everything in obedience, in penitence, in praise and thanksgiving, must be placed upon the glowing fire of the righteousness of Christ. The fragrance of this righteousness ascends like a cloud around the mercy seat.”

~ Ellen White, Vol.1 Selected Messages, p 343-344 (links to full passage)

Note how even our good works, our worship, prayers, praise, and thanksgiving, are unacceptable in the courts above unless first placed on the alter of His sacrifice. Even of the most godly souls, those who would rather die than sin, their good deeds, no matter how loving and sincere, cannot merit the righteousness of Christ to their account. Only the propitiation of Christ can atone for the corruption of our natures.

“…that no flesh should glory in His presence.  But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” ~ 1 Corinthians 1.29-31 NKJV

All Scripture is from the New American Standard Version (1995 ed.) unless noted otherwise.